Thanks to Chaz and Angela for sending this in!

Company Press Release:

Friendly's Restaurants Swirls Into Prime Time
Friendly's Dishes Up Burgers and Ice Cream on the WB Network

WILBRAHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2000--Friendly's Restaurants, a casual, full service restaurant and ice cream shoppe chain based in Wilbraham Massachusetts that operates over 580 restaurants primarily on the Eastern landscape, is slated to hit prime time on July 12, 2000.

Just like ``Friends'' has Central Perk, ``Seinfeld'' had Monk's and ``Beverly Hills 90210'' had the Peach Pit, Friendly's will be the work and gathering place for a brand new series produced by Columbia TriStar and Mandalay Television, called YOUNG AMERICANS. The series that rolls out in July on the WB with eight episodes highlights the lives of students at an elite New England boarding school juxtaposed against the very different world of the small working-class town in which the school is located. YOUNG AMERICANS is the sequel to the very successful WB teen series, DAWSON'S CREEK. Two lead characters, Will and Scout, work as waiters at Friendly's, serving the trademark Fribbles, indulgent ice cream creations and tasty Big Beef(TM) hamburgers.

``We felt the fit was right for the brand,'' stated Richard L. Couch, Chief Marketing Officer for Friendly's. ``We're going after young adults to expand our customer base and felt that YOUNG AMERICANS would lend some great exposure for Friendly's.'' Paula Askanas, Senior Vice President of Media Relations for Columbia TriStar Television stated, ``Having Friendly's as part of the show was important to us. We're looking forward to a successful premiere and series.'' YOUNG AMERICANS will air Wednesdays (9-10 pm ET/PT) on the WB beginning July 12.