At the SSPX chapel I attended until 2014, the pastor did the same thing; went to eat and hang out after mass with the seven or eight wealthy families and maide scolding comments about the stinginess of most parishioners. Extra events at the chapel the last few years were only for the rich or childless. For example, an evening dinner followed by a chamber orchestra, $100 a plate! But it was all for a good cause we were told when people protested. Numerous times various people of lesser means or with children tried to organize a family picnic, barbecue, or a movie or game night. These never happened because the wealthy people Father put in charge of the social events turned them down as not profitable enough. There were other very serious problems, on-going I’m told, that cut the attendance down to to a quarter of attendees in the early 2000s.
I tried awhile ago, without much success, to track down the families and individuals who left or were driven away. A few went to the Pius V, to the indult, a surprising number back to a “conservative” novus ordo, but most have seemingly vanished. There’s no resistance mass anywhere close, about 250 miles(!) and no gathering of “home aloners.”
I honestly don’t know what I could tell a person who was interested in becoming Catholic except to move. I would not tell him to go to the SSPX because he'd get a chilly reception when he says who referred him! (I was one of those driven away, not because of doing anything sinful, but because of social and family connections. I had to “confess” to corresponding with a certain priest and promise to never attend his masses or those of his associates, also, to cease my friendship with another priest’s sister and family! When I refused, I was told to leave and not return.)
However, keep in mind that the priest does not save souls; that’s the job of the Holy Ghost. Unfortunately, I don’t have any such dilemma, personally. I haven’t encountered anyone at all receptive to becoming Catholic. The people I’m around, elderly parents excepted, are outright hostile to the Church, to the point where it is imprudent to mention it. (Casting pearls before swine) The likely response is for them to blaspheme, so I remain silent unless obedience demands I speak out.
The only thing to be done is to pray, and I’d advise your friend to pray the Rosary before recommending a certain chapel or priest. Our Lady will guide them to the right place if that is her Son’s Will.