SAUGUS — A Wendy’s branch will take over the former Friendly’s building on Route 1 South.
This week, representatives for the fast-food chain received unanimous approval from the Board of Selectmen for a common victualler license that would allow the company to open a 47-seat restaurant at the 777 Broadway location, which has been vacant since its former occupant closed its doors in September 2019.
“I’m delighted that a Wendy’s is going to go into the old Friendly’s location,” Selectwoman Debra Panetta said. “I like Wendy’s food. I like their salads, I like their chili. I think it’s going to be a great add to Saugus.
“It’s fast food, but I think it’s quality fast food.”
Panetta has previously voiced her support for the restaurant’s proposal, which she said would fill a longstanding vacancy along the highway.
“I don’t want to see any more vacancies along Route 1,” she told The Item last month. “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.”
Selectman Michael Serino also expressed his support for the chain.
“I’m all for it. It’ll be good to get them in,” Serino said. “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.”
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.
“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. “(That property) is a large venue, and it’s a lot better than having that space vacant.”
A common victualler license is required of every establishment in Massachusetts that cooks, prepares, and serves food for immediate consumption. The annual cost is $100, plus $1 for every seat in the dining establishment.
Hours of operation for the Wendy’s drive-through will be 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and main dining room hours will be 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
“We are excited to move forward with this property and look forward to serving Wendy’s fans in the Saugus community soon,” Wendy’s spokesperson Heidi Schauer said in a statement provided to The Item.
Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Corinne Riley also welcomed the chain to Route 1 and wished it luck on its branch opening, which is slated to take place sometime this summer.
“I’m very excited to see Wendy’s going into the old Friendly’s building,” Riley said. “With all the businesses closing for good, I’m happy to see another business continuing to make it in these tough times and to occupy that area from being an abandoned building.”
