Saugus Fuddruckers Closing on Rt. 1 After 35 Years

The news of the Saugus Fuddruckers closing has me, a kid who grew up on Rt. 1, feeling some big feelings today.

As I've mentioned before, I grew up in Greenwood, the “backwoods” area of Wakefield. At least that’s what it was like back in the ’80s and ’90s. In those days, in that neck of the woods, going out to eat meant going to Rt. 1 in Saugus. My dad’s side of the family always seemed to gravitate toward The Kowloon. My mom’s side of the family always seemed to prefer the Hilltop Steak House.

When I got my license in high school and had free range of Rt. 1 in my 1985 Chevy Monte Carlo with the sliding bench seat, I ventured beyond The Kowloon and the Hilltop. If my girlfriend and I were feeling fancy, we'd gussy up and hit The Continental. Years later, my fiancee and I would hit Weylu's for higher-end Chinese food or Fuddruckers if we were fixing to build our own burgers.

And now the news is that Fuddruckers on Rt. 1 in Saugus will be no more. WBZ News is reporting that Saugus franchise owner Adrienne LeBlanc tried to negotiate a fair lease with the landlord, but could not come to an agreement. Now, Fuddruckers is set to close before the end of the year. So if you're craving a fresh burg topped the way you want it, you'd best get there soon.

And if you're noticing this alarming trend of Rt. 1 favorites like Fuddruckers, Friendly's, and others disappearing due to the skyrocketing real estate market, you're not alone. Our old friends are being priced out in favor of cookie cutter condo complexes and the like. I don't like it. And if you don't either, I suggest you use your vote and your voice. Hit the ballot box in November, attend your city or town's next City Council or Town Meeting. Be a voice for change! And pass the BBQ sauce. And nacho cheese, please.

As I type this, summer is warming up in New England. And I want ice cream. So I'm making this list of Friendly's, for me and for you.

I grew up on Friendly's. When I was a kid, my Nana would take me to the location across the street from her house in Wakefield where my uncle worked. It would always be on a Friday night and she would always order the Fishamajig, whether it was Lent or not. And my uncle would always come out from the kitchen to say hello. Good memories. And lots of ice cream. I liked the Peanut Butter Cup Sundae the best.

The Wakefield Friendly's was my "home" Friendly's. But I was a Greenwood kid, so by the time I was old enough to ride my bike (Huffy BMX) down Main St. over the town line, my friends and I were grabbing plates of fries and cones at the Melrose Friendly's. In high school, the Friendly's on Rt. 1 in Saugus became our go-to for breakfast on the days we'd cut class. You couldn't beat the 2-2-2: Two eggs, two sausage or bacon, and toast for $2.22.

All of those Friendly's Restaurants are long gone. As is the Stoneham location where I would bring my kids for birthday suppers or kiddie cones on hot summer days. We paid one last visit before that Friendly's closed back in November of 2020 when the company filed for bankruptcy; I even wrote an elegy of sorts. Thankfully, the bankruptcy wasn't the final nail in the coffin for Friendly's.

Spurred by my colleague and fellow Friendly's enthusiast Danae, I decided to track down the remaining Friendly's Restaurants in the Greater Boston area. My list is below. You can search a full list here. Now, go get your Supermelt on. And finish it off with a Jim Dandy.

1 Harborside Dr

Terminal A - Logan Airport

East Boston, MA 02128

(617) 561-6478

250 Andover Street

Peabody, MA 01960

(978) 532-1445

1469 Providence Highway

Norwood, MA 02062

(781) 769-7583

157 Apex Drive

Marlborough, MA 01752

(508) 251-1006

1021 Main Street

South Weymouth, MA 02190

(781) 337-8877

1160 Main Street

Haverhill, MA 01830

(978) 373-6120

710 Milford Road, Route 101A

Route 101A

Merrimack, NH 03054

(603) 594-0239

147 Loudon Road

Concord, NH 03301

(603) 223-9784

482 North Main Street

Leominster, MA 01453

(978) 537-9787

146 Church Street

Pembroke, MA 02359

(781) 826-7840

10 Washington Street, Route 1, Route 1

Attleboro, MA 02703

(508) 761-9104

697 Southbridge Street

Auburn, MA 01501

(508) 832-3102

18 Pearson Boulevard

Gardner, MA 01440

(978) 630-1821

40 Bedford Road

Middleboro, MA 02346

(508) 947-3900

129 East Main Street

Webster, MA 01570

(508) 943-8533

47 Long Pond Road

Plymouth, MA 02360

(508) 746-2942

748 G.A.R. Highway

Route 6

Swansea, MA 02777

(508) 676-9694

135 Marianno S. Bishop Boulevard

Fall River, MA 02722

(508) 673-0891