
10/07/2025
Well done!
Indian-origin Amol Kohli, who began his career as a waiter at Friendly’s in 2003, has acquired the iconic US restaurant chain, marking a full-circle journey.
Kohli’s investment group, Legacy Brands, announced on July 22 that it had purchased Friendly’s, its parent company Brix Holdings, and six other restaurant brands for an undisclosed sum.
The deal extends Friendly’s legacy, with locations across the U.S. East Coast, under Kohli’s leadership.
Kohli, 37, started at Friendly’s earning about $5 an hour while still in high school, taking on roles from cook to dishwasher and server.
Even while studying finance and marketing at Drexel University, he continued working at the chain, learning operations such as payroll, insurance, and food costs.
After graduating in 2011, Kohli chose to stay with Friendly’s, first as a regional manager and later as a franchise owner. He eventually expanded to operate 31 franchise locations before buying the brand outright.