A Friendly Life: The Autobiography of S. Prestley Blake

About the Book

A Friendly Life is the autobiography of S. Prestley Blake, co-founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corporation, a large chain of family restaurants. Pres is currently 96 years old and remains a no-nonsense, take-charge kind of guy.

Pres Blake and his brother Curtis started Friendly Ice Cream in 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression. With $547 initial capital from their parents, Pres and Curtis worked day and night in their tiny shop. This small business kept expanding, and over time, grew to a 500-plus restaurant chain. The Blake brothers invoked straightforward business principles to guide their growth, and with hard work and good advice from other business people, they were able to succeed, as Pres says, “beyond our wildest dreams.” After 40 years, they sold Friendly’s to the Hershey Corporation. Pres’s message to young entrepreneurs: "Work hard, look for opportunities, mind your manners, and stay smart. If I could do it, so can you."

Once retired, Pres embarked on a series of grand adventures, involving his fascination with fine motorcars, exploring the world, and philanthropy.

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A Friendly Life: The Autobiography of S. Prestley Blake, Co-Founder of the Friendly Ice Cream Corp.

By S. Prestley Blake
with Alan Farnham

Published by Brigantine Media
Publication Date: May 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-9384064-4-7
116 pp.

But at age 86, Pres was roused to come back and save Friendly’s, his "baby," from the management team that had bought it from Hershey. Pres fought for seven years to liberate Friendly’s from mismanagement. Seven years and eleven million dollars later, Pres got what he had hoped for: a new owner of the company who would handle Friendly’s with care.

Harvard Business School has included the story of Pres’s lawsuit as a management case study in corporate governance.

A Friendly Life is a fascinating portrait of a man whose life has been guided by his principles. The book reminds us that you’re never too old to fight for what you believe is right.

From the Preface by Lyman Wood

This book is about Pres Blake’s life and values. It is also a view into the type of people and the unethical behavior that are presently devastating the world economy. Massive egos, short cuts, deceit and illegal actions are principle causes of our nation’s present precarious economic position. Thank goodness Pres hasn’t had to wrestle with skunks his entire life. He’s enjoyed himself. He’s sailed the seas, traveled the world, met the great and near-great. He’s logged enough adventures for two lifetimes. In this book you’ll share those adventures and meet some of the most admirable people in the world. I envy you your experience!

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