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EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
on Forms S-8 and S-3 (Numbers 33-85216, 33-81270, 333-17755, 33-78820, 33-95584,
333-06221, 333-23757, 333-49133, 333-58327, 333-73271 and 333-38736) pertaining
to the Friedman's Inc. 1993 Stock Option Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1994 Stock Option
Plan for Outside Directors, Friedman's Inc. Amended and Restated 1994 Stock
Option Plan for Outside Directors, Friedman's Inc. 1994 Qualified Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1995
Stock Option Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1997
Stock Option Plan, Friedman's Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, Friedman's Inc. 1999
Long-Term Incentive Plan and Friedman's Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan, of our
report dated November 20, 2000 with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Friedman's Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended September 30, 2000.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
December 20, 2000
