NEW YORK (AP) - The parent of the Friendly's restaurant chain is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and says it has already closed 63 of its stores -- including six in the Capital Region.

The 76-year-old company known for its ice cream and hamburgers says the economic downturn coupled with higher costs and high rents drove it to file for bankruptcy protection.

Friendly Ice Cream Corp., based in Wilbraham, Mass., says it has secured $70 million in financing and that its 424 remaining restaurants will stay open as it reorganizes under bankruptcy protection. Gift cards will continue to be honored.

It says the store closings and its reorganization efforts will better position it for the future.

Its current owners, Sun Capital Partners, will be the lead, or "stalking horse" bidders, in an auction process.

Here is a complete list of stores closing...

CAPITAL REGION

White Management will plant its first-ever rooftop garden on the "green roof" at Creo’ in Stuyvesant Plaza Thursday morning.  

This summer they will be planting a variety of vegetables and herbs, beginning with tomatoes, which will then be used in the kitchen.  

A ‘green roof’ was just one of the many green investments White Management made when they tore down the old Mangia restaurant and created Creo’ in 2008. In designing the 6,000 square foot restaurant in 2008, White Management invested in recycled rubber and cork floors, radiant heating systems, energy efficient lighting and tabletops made from compressed 100% recycled paper, including the ‘green roof.’ 

The Ninety Nine restaurant on Western Ave will host the trophy ceremony for the "Settle the Score for Kids" dodgeball tournament on Tuesday, April 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. 

The awards will be given out at 6:30 p.m. The prestigious Kearney Cup Trophy will be presented to the Albany Police Department, and many additional awards will be handed out during the evening.

Ninety Nine restaurants will donate 15% from each check back to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany.

Attendees will get to watch as the rivalry continues with guest bartenders Mayor Gerald D. Jennings, D.A. David Soares and Michael Castellana, SEFCU President & CEO battling for tips behind the bar. All tips will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany.

Thirty-six teams stepped on to the court for the "Settle the Score for Kids" dodgeball tournament Sunday, April 3 at Siena College.