EXHIBIT 16.1


LETTER OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



May 16, 2002

Office of the Chief Accountant
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20549

Dear Sir/Madam:

We have read the first three paragraphs of Item 4 included in the Form 8-K dated
May 16, 2002 of Friendly Ice Cream Corporation to be filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and are in agreement with the statements contained
therein.

Very truly yours,


/s/ Arthur Andersen
Arthur Andersen LLP



cc:  Mr. Paul V. Hoagland, CFO, Friendly Ice Cream Corporation