Nostalgic Restaurant Series #8 - FARRELL'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR

Founded in Portland, Oregon in 1963 by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy, this chain of ice cream parlors and sandwiches was know for it early 1900's theme (including employee uniforms) and the famous player piano at each location.

Purchased by Marriott Corporation in 1975, Farrell's grew to 120 locations by 1975.

The usual story of increased competition and quality of product vs nostalgia of offering transpired and sales continued to fall. Marriott sold the chain to private investors in 1982 and almost all locations were closed by the turn over to the decade of the 1990's.

"The remaining Farrell's locations continued to operate independently after the original chain had closed. As of 2000, there were 6 locations in Oregon and southern California operating under the Farrell's name." [Wikipedia]

After a long legal battle over the brand's rights, Parlour Enterprises was awarded brand ownership  and started to franchise the concept with the founder, Bob Farrell, as an advisor. By 2014 the brand was at 8 locations,

With significant debt, the chain started to close locations in 2016. "In August 2016, Farrell's was featured on CNBC's series The Profit, where Marcus Lemonis made a deal with the current owners and stakeholders of the Farrell's brand; three locations stayed open with a last push to bring back the iconic restaurant and ice cream parlour." [Wikipedia]

The last attempt to save Farrell's didn't work and the final location closed in June 2019.