EXHIBIT 99.1



                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Friendly Ice Cream
Corporation ("the Company") for the year ended December 29, 2002 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I,
John L. Cutter, as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, hereby
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss. 1350, as adopted pursuant to ss. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1)       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or
         15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2)       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
         material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
         the Company.


                                   By:   /s/ JOHN L. CUTTER
                                         --------------------------------------
                                   Name:  John L. Cutter
                                   Title: Chief Executive Officer and President
                                   Date:  February 25, 2003