TGI Friday’s opened its first restaurant in New York in 1965. The name was a takeoff on the often lamented “Thank Goodness it’s Friday.” The restaurant, which serves American cuisine, quickly became the place for singles to hang out. Twenty-five years after opening the first TGI Friday’s, the chain had grown to 169 restaurants throughout the world. By 1993, there were 243 TGI Friday’s, 20 of which are located in countries other than the United States. Only a year later, the 300th TGI Friday’s opened in Seoul, Korea. Another milestone in 1994 saw Friday’s, which the restaurant is commonly called, operate in its 50th country.
While the restaurant chain may have started as a favorite place for singles to hang out, it is also a favorite gathering place for families and business lunches as well. Friday’s serves an assortment of American cuisine and they also serve alcoholic beverages. Some of the dishes Friday’s serves have become so popular that they are offered as snacks in grocery stores. There are several frozen food varieties, such as Friday’s Honey BBQ Wings and various snacks in the chip aisle, such as Friday’s Potato Skins.
TGI Friday’s has received numerous awards and accolades over the years. In 1995 and again in 1996, Success magazine ranked TGI Friday’s as one of the top 100 franchisors. Governor Rick Perry named Friday’s as one of the best places to work in Texas and the restaurant chain has received numerous awards connected with various “best places to eat contests.”
In 1997, Friday’s debuted the Jack Daniels® Grill. Guests can order a range of Jack Daniels flavored entrees, including Jack Daniels® Glazed Ribs, chicken, steak, and shrimp. Other popular menu items include the Loaded Potato Skins, which has been a staple of the chain for many years.
Although Friday’s is moderately priced, it is even nicer to enjoy the food at Friday’s when you have a coupon. Sometimes you can find TGI Friday’s coupons in the Sunday supplement inside your newspaper. In addition, through the years, Friday’s has implemented various reward programs. At present, customers can go to the Friday’s website and join the Give Me More Stripes® program, which rewards loyal customers with free food. Once you sign up for the program, you’ll automatically get a coupon for a free appetizer or dessert. After that, for each $100 you spend, you’ll receive a certificate for $8.00 off anything except alcohol. Friday’s also promises to offer other rewards throughout the year to Give Me More Stripes® members. Launched in 2008, the program already has more than one million members.
Getting 8% back on your dining purchases can really add up so when you are looking for coupons, remember the loyalty program as well. In addition, since you sign up online for the Give Me More Stripes® program, TGI Friday’s has your email address and will notify you of specials throughout the year.
