Restaurant na Andělu

History

T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant chain was one of the first American casual dining chains and provides a dining experience that has become the favorite pastime of millions since 1965. The first T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant was located at First Avenue and 63rd strret in New Tork City, New York (USA) and featured red and white stripes, a blue exterior and its name – T.G.I. Friday’s.

Inside there were wooden floors, Tiffany lamps, bentwood chairs and striped tablecloths. The bar area, with its brass rails and stained glass, contributed to the ambiance. For T.G.I. Friday’s interior decor, a full time antique “picker” traveled extensively to to auctions and flea markets. Memorabilia had to be authentic and, if possible, unique to the area where the new restaurant would be located. In a warehouse in the Southeastern United States, this “clutter” was restored before being loaded on a truck bound for the next T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant opening.

The New York City T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant enjoyed an immediate and spectacular success. First year revenues totaled $1 million. This restaurant became THE meeting place for single adults. In fact, according to Newsweek and The Saturday Evening Post, the opening of T.G.I. Friday’s heralded the dawn of the singles age. By 1972, the restaurant as we know it today was taking everyone by storm.

By 1975, there were ten T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants in eight states across America, and in 1986 the first international Friday’s opened in Birmingham, England. As of May 21, 2001there are 666 in 53 countries! .

T.G.I. Friday’s is a leader in the industry in innovation with menu items such as Friday’s Jack Daniel’sÒ Grill and Friday´s Burgers.® In response to the growing demand for flavorful non-alcoholic beverages, T.G.I. Friday’s introduced Smoothies and FlingsÒ in honor of the 1984 Summer Olympics. The popularity of these drinks continues even today.

“The credo of T.G.I. Friday’s is to treat every customer as we would an honored guest in our home,” said Wallace B. Doolin, president and chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent company of T.G.I. Friday’s, “and it is reflected in everything we do.” This commitment to superior guest satisfaction is exemplified by the 80 million guest visits per year. The overwhelming success of the restaurants comes from a very broad guest base.

Realizing that an important part of a restaurant’s appeal is its atmosphere, T.G.I. Friday’s created a comfortable, relaxing environment in which their guests can enjoy quality food served by friendly waiters and waitresses, and beverages served by bottle-flipping, entertaining bartenders. Industry leadership, innovation and standards of excellence continue to be T.G.I. Friday’s hallmarks.
In 2005 T.G.I. Friday’s celebrated its 40th anniversary and was the first casual dining chain to reach that milestone.
In summary, T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants have a dynamic combination that is propelling them into a new era of superior performance. They are truly a legend in the restaurant industry, providing a unique, eclectic environment where the entire family can enjoy their food, drink and the atmosphere in 55 countries around the world.
As the guests have changed, so has Friday’s. The company has grown and the guests have matured. Now many of them bring their children with them when they dine at T.G.I Friday’s and, T.G.I. Friday’s still offers an unsurpassed menu selection of food prepared to perfection, served in a lively, engaging atmosphere.