SAUGUS — Wendy’s is seeking the town of Saugus’ approval to open a restaurant inside the former Friendly’s building on Route 1 south.
On May 4, representatives for the fast-food chain are scheduled to go before the Saugus Board of Selectmen during a public hearing in order to request a common victualler’s license.
The license would allow them to move into the 777 Broadway location, which has been empty since its former occupant closed its doors in September 2019.
“I’m all for it. It’ll be good to get them in,” Selectman Michael Serino said Wednesday. “A lot of people say we have too many fast-food restaurants on Route 1, but those fast-food restaurants bring in almost $1 million a year in meals tax. It’s a good chunk of money we get every year.”
Selectwoman Debra Panetta also voiced support for the proposal, which she said will fill a longstanding vacancy along the highway.
“I don’t want to see any more vacancies along Route 1,” Panetta said. “I’m happy Wendy’s is coming in. I really liked Friendly’s. They were there for a long time and I was sad when they closed, but I think Wendy’s has a lot of options.”
In 2019, Friendly’s said in a statement to WBZ-TV that the long-struggling chain, which was bought out by Amici Partners Group, LLC in early 2021, was forced to close “underperforming locations” when their local market could no longer sustain them.
The Board of Selectmen must vote to approve the proposal during the May 4 meeting. If approved, the annual fee of a common victualler’s license — which is required of every establishment that cooks, prepares and serves food for immediate consumption — is $100.
“Meals tax is 6.25 percent, we go up to 7 percent, so you get that money that comes back to the town,” Panetta said. “It’s a large venue, and it’s a lot better than having that space vacant.”
Elyse Carmosino can be reached at [email protected].
