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Maura C. Tobias Friendly's Restaurants 413-731-4238

AREA RESIDENT WINS FIRST PLACE IN PENNSYLVANIA TRUCK DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP

Ron Emenheiser of Friendly's will compete in national championships in August

 

WILBRAHAM, Mass. (July 6, 2006) -- Friendly Ice Cream Corporation's Ron Emenheiser of Windsor, PA, won first place in his division of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association's annual competition held in Lancaster on June 23rd and 24th and earned a spot on the state team that will battle in the national competition in August. Emenheiser, at the wheel of a five-axle gasoline type tank truck, scored highest out of 23 of the best tank drivers in the state. He also had the third highest overall score among the 171 contestants on the course.

 

Together Ron and fellow Friendly's team members Greg Spotts of Hummelstown, PA and Paul Waite of Mt. Wolf, PA earned the Small Team Champions Trophy for highest scoring team in the small team division of the event. Emenheiser's first place coupled with Waite's fifth place and Spotts' sixth place placed them well ahead of any other small team.

 

The two-day event included a written test on driving laws and safety procedures, first-aid, accident procedures, and mechanical knowledge. Drivers also had to complete an equipment defect inspection of a tractor trailer to find several hidden defects within a time limit. The highlight of the competition was a road course on which drivers were scored based on their skill in negotiating six driving challenges.

 

"This competition is designed to promote safety and respect for truck driving, which is what Friendly's drivers try to do each and every day," said Emenheiser, a driver with Friendly's since 2001."Winning is a real thrill and a real honor for all three of us."

 

"I've worked at this event for 16 years and have always been proud of how 'my' drivers conducted themselves," said Jane Gordon, Transportation Manager. "However, this year will go down in my memory forever. To see one of Friendly's drivers earn a first place award was wonderful and to see the smiles on the faces of all three drivers when they went on stage to pick up the plaque for the small team champs was even better."

 

Emenheiser and the rest of the Pennsylvania team will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships August 16 through 20 in New Orleans. The Pennsylvania Team has won this event three of the last seven years.

 

Friendly Ice Cream Corporation (Amex: FRN) is a vertically integrated restaurant company serving signature sandwiches, entrees and ice cream desserts in a friendly, family environment in more than 525 company and franchised restaurants throughout the Northeast. The company also manufactures ice cream, which is distributed through more than 4,500 supermarkets and other retail locations. With a 71-year operating history, Friendly's enjoys strong brand recognition and is currently revitalizing its restaurants and introducing new products to grow its customer base.