Friendly's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Friendly's cooks with: soybean oil (liquid shortening for fry/griddle); dairy for ice cream. Across the 103 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Friendly's
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Burger Patty Only (No Bun) + Iced Tea, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Retro Royal Banana Split | 2.0g |
| The Fabulous Fribble | 2.0g |
| Friend-z | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Traditional Buttermilk Pancakes | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Friendly's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Bleu Cheese Dip | 28.0g |
| Ranch Dip | 25.0g |
| Supermelts Burger | 22.0g |
| Loaded Breakfast Skillet | 20.0g |
| Patty Melt | 20.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Friendly's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Friendly's cooks with: soybean oil (liquid shortening for fry/griddle); dairy for ice cream. Across the 103 menu items we analyzed, it averages 7.5g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Friendly's cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean oil (liquid shortening for fry/griddle); dairy for ice cream. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Friendly's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Friendly's cooks with soybean oil (liquid shortening for fry/griddle); dairy for ice cream, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Friendly's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Friendly's cooks with soybean oil (liquid shortening for fry/griddle); dairy for ice cream, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Friendly's?
Retro Royal Banana Split is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Friendly's, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Friendly's?
Bleu Cheese Dip is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Friendly's, at an estimated 28.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
Fox's Pizza Den · Freddy's · Freebirds World Burrito · Frisch's Big Boy · Frutta Bowls · Fuddruckers
See where Friendly's lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.