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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 JuWHFQSVTEyPUlJoR5Ot5g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001282520-05-000059.txt : 20051103
<SEC-HEADER>0001282520-05-000059.hdr.sgml : 20051103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20051103152617
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001282520-05-000059
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20051102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20051103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20051103

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ODAK PERRY D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001144983

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13579
		FILM NUMBER:		051176772

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3034405220

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		WILD OATS MARKETS INC
		STREET 2:		3375 MITCHELL LN
		CITY:			BOULDER
		STATE:			CO
		ZIP:			80301
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-11-02</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2005-11-03</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001144983</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ODAK PERRY D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WILD OATS MARKETS INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>3375 MITCHELL LN</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOULDER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>80301</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>9.81</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-11-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-11-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The Form 4 filed earlier today by the reporting person incorrectly reported the year in which the options begin vesting.  This amendment is being filed to correct this information to reflect the fact that the options vest in three equal annual installments beginning on November 2, 2006.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gregory A. Pastore, Under Power of Attorney for Perry D. Odak</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-11-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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