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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QijuPif6iNUofTLFhx6c30JJpa2EeWiosYZvDCGOKqvlTgXLFh+AAgJH0An/QAyQ
 T4yE3qGtyFA149sfjVHCiA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001019056-04-000859.txt : 20040616
<SEC-HEADER>0001019056-04-000859.hdr.sgml : 20040616
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040616151003
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001019056-04-000859
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040223
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040616

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PASTORE GREGORY A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001282520

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13579
		FILM NUMBER:		04866188

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1855 BOSTON ROAD
		CITY:			WILBRAHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01095

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000039135
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				042053130
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1855 BOSTON ROAD
		CITY:			WILBRAHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01095
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4135432400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1855 BOSTON ROAD
		CITY:			WILBRAHAM
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01095
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-02-23</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2004-03-03</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000039135</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FRIENDLY ICE CREAM CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>FRN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001282520</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>PASTORE GREGORY A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1855 BOSTON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WILBRAHAM</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>01095</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, General Counsel &amp; Clerk</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock options (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.45</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-02-23</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-02-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options vest in three equal annual installments beginning on February 23, 2005.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Form 3 filed by the reporting person on March 3, 2004 incorrectly reported that the reporting person was granted an option to purchase 14,000 shares.  This amendment is being filed to correct this information to reflect the fact that the reporting person was granted an option to purchase 17,000 shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Gregory A. Pastore</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-06-16</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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