TGI Fridays

TGI Friday’s is unique in that it’s “story” is like maybe no other in major American restaurant chains. Alan Stillman, a successful New York salesman, wanted to create a way to meet women (that’s a watered down version of his desires) and there wasn’t anything like a “cocktail bar” in New York. So Stillman created one. It was hugely successful immediately. The bar/restaurant located at 1152 1st Avenue had people standing in long lines to get in which was new for the city at that time. Who knows how successful Stillman was at accomplishing his “personal goals”? Regardless, TGI Friday’s would go on to be a very significant chain across America.

General Restaurant Information

Food Type: American

Restaurant Type: Casual Dining

U.S. Locations: 464

States: 38 states, TGI Friday’s Locations

Company Slogan: In here, it’s always Friday

 

Contact Information

Website: tgifridays.com

Questions: Contact Information

Phone number: 800-374-3297

Email: Contact Form Only

Blog: TGI Friday’s Blog

FAQ Page: Frequently Asked Questions

 

Ownership

Who Owns TGI Friday’s? Sentinel Capital Partners

Headquartered: Dallas, Texas

Contact Information: 

Website: sentinelpartners.com

Email/contact page: Sentinel Partners Contact Information

Phone: (212) 688-3100

Address: 330 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Do They Franchise? Franchise Information

 

What Is It Like To Work At TGI Friday’s?

Employment Page

3.7/5 or 74%; 111 Reviews (indeed.com)

3.1/5, or 62%; 141 Reviews (glassdoor.com)

 

The History of TGI Friday’s

Original Location: 1152 1st Avenue, New York, NY

Founded: March 15, 1965

Founded By: Alan Stillman and Daniel R. Scoggin

Biography Articles:

A Cocktail Party In The Street: An Interview With Alan Stillman (ediblegeography.com)

Alumni Stories: Alan Stillman (bucknell.edu)

Founder invented the chain as part of his ‘business plan to meet a lot of women’ (businessinsider.com)

When the restaurant opened, it was such a huge singles scene that cops had to close the streets nearby (businessinsider.com)

Founder Obituary: Still Living

Name Origin: “Thank God Its Friday”

History Page: Company History Page (the U.S. version of their site does not offer this, only the UK website)

Current View of Original Location: 1152 1st Avenue as it is today (link may not work on mobile devices without Google Maps)

Historical Articles: 

Surprising History of TGI Friday’s (firstwefeast.com)

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide History (fundinguniverse.com)

How TGI Friday’s Became the Forefather of the Modern Craft Cocktail Bar. Seriously. (thrillist.com)

14 Things You Didn’t Know About TGI Friday’s (thrillist.com)

When TGI Friday’s opened, it was such a huge singles scene that cops had to close the streets nearby (businessinsider.com)

15 things you never knew about TGI Friday’s (thisinsider.com)

FYI: T.G.I. Friday’s Started As A NYC Cocktail Joint (gothamist.com)

 

 

Social Awareness

Charity Focus: No references found

Green | Eco-Friendly: Restaurant Uniforms Go Eco-Friendly (aaronallen.com)

Animal Cruelty:

TGI Friday’s Switching to Cage-Free Eggs by 2025 (huffingtonpost.com)

Committing to 100% Cage Free Eggs and Gestation Crate-Free Pork by 2025 (cagefreefuture.com)

 

It is most likely not a restaurant you consider on a Friday night to take the family. The chain did gain family appeal as it moved south and reevaluated its restaurant atmosphere. They don’t offer any unique benefits to families and their food, both in taste and in health, leaves much to be desired as do most of their restaurant reviews.

 

Discounts At TGI Friday’s

Rewards Program: TGI Friday’s Reward Program 

Do Kids Eat Free at TGI Friday’s?

What day do kids eat free? Monday & Tuesday

Summary: The American website doesn’t offer kids eat free information (other countries do) but the following resources were found –

“One free kid’s meal with each adult entree, ages 12 and under” (pennypinchinmom.com) 

“Kids eat free with the purchase of adult entrée Mondays and Tuesdays – offers vary by location” (thekrazycouponlady.com)

“Kids eat free Mondays and Tuesdays.” (bradsdeals.com)

“Kids eat free on Tuesdays from 3 to 9 p.m. at participating locations!” (clark.com)

Does TGI Friday’s Offer Military Discounts?

Summary: 

“‘Veterans and active duty military get a free lunch on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.” (military.com)

“Guests who show valid military ID can enjoy a free lunch menu item up to $12. This offer is valid on Saturday, November 11th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time.” (militarybenefits.info)

“‘Free lunch menu item up to $12 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. local time for all current military members and veterans. These guests will also receive a $5 coupon for their next meal. Valid ID or proof of service required. Dine-on only at participating locations. Be sure to contact your local T.G.I Friday’s for details.” (themilitarywallet.com)

“‘Diners with military IDs can get a free lunch item up to $12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day, Nov. 13, as well as a $5 coupon for future use.” (today.com)

What Does TGI Friday’s offer for My Birthday!?

Summary: On the TGI Friday website on their Rewards FAQ page, it states the following – “Free dessert with purchase of an entrèe to celebrate your Birthday”

Does TGI Friday’s Offer First Responder Discounts?

Summary: The chain does not offer any discount or promotion for first responders

Does TGI Friday’s Offer Senior Citizen | AARP Discounts?

Summary: No resources found

Are There Any Other Discounts or Benefits at TGI Friday’s?

Summary: To no one’s surprise, their reward program is called A Friend With Benefits. Follow the link to see all the perks as well as learn how their point system works.

 

Amenities

Order Online: No

WiFi Available: Yes

Use Apple Pay: No  

Reservations: Yes  

Catering: Catering Menu

Drive-Thru: No 

Open 24 Hours: No  

 

Customer Reviews of TGI Friday’s

Yelp: 2.22/5 or 44%, 2,879 reviews sampled

Tripadvisor: 3.3/5 or 67%, 4,309 reviews sampled

Overall (weighted) Average: 2.89/5 or 58%, 7,188 reviews sampled

 

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Food & Nutrition

Menu:  TGI Friday’s Menu

Kids Menu:  TGI Friday’s Kids Menu

Secret Menu:  No resources found

Most Popular Menu Item:  Loaded Potato Skins (see recipes and videos below)

Coke or Pepsi: Coke

Serve Alcohol: Yes

Nutritional Information: TGI Friday’s Nutrition Guide

Vegetarian | Vegan Options: 

Try These Vegan Fast Food and Chain Restaurant Options on the Go (peta.org)

Your Best Vegan Option at 35 Popular Restaurants (eatthis.com)

Eating Vegan at National Restaurant Chains (insteading.com)

Farm to Table | Organic Options | Clean | Non-GMO: No resources found

Miscellaneous Nutrition Resources: 

The #1 Worst Menu Option at 76 Popular Restaurants (#9) (eatthis.com)

Tgi Friday’s Nutritional Menu (livestrong.com)

TGI Friday’s Nutritional Information (fatsecret.com)

Nutrition Facts and Calorie Information (nutrition-charts.com)

19 Unhealthiest Salads in America (#5) (eatthis.com)

What 5 Dietitians Order at TGI Friday’s (health.com)

The 6 Best Dishes To Order At TGI Friday’s, According To Nutritionists (womenshealthmag.com)

Allergy Information

Allergen Information: TGI Friday’s Allergen Guide

Gluten Free Options: 

TGI Friday’s Gluten-Free Menu (urbantastebud.com)

Dairy Free Options: 

TGI Friday’s Dairy Free Options (godairyfree.org)

Restaurant Guide For Dairy-Free Dining (godairyfree.org)

Peanut Free Options: 

TGI Friday’s Peanut & Allergy Information (tgiFriday’s.com)

Food Allergy Guides For Many Chain Restaurants (verywellhealth.com)

Ways to Eliminate Risks of Peanut Allergy When Dining Out (healthguidance.org)

 

Does TGI Friday’s Have Any Secret Recipes?

Secret Recipes:  

TGI Friday’s Over 25 Secret Recipes!  (topsecretrecipes.com)

Fried Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (copykat.com)

Bacon Cheddar Potato Skins (tasteofhome.com)

Green Bean Fries (foodnetwork.com)

Jack Daniel’s Grill Glaze (noshingwiththenolands.com)

Jack Daniels Sauce (allrecipes.com)

Jack Daniels Dipping Sauce (copykat.com)

TGI Friday’s Recipes (allrestaurantrecipes.com)

 

Did You Know?

Fun Facts: 

Alan Stillman, an experienced salesman, not only founded TGI Friday’s but also Smith & Wollensky, a high-end steakhouse chain

Stillman has claimed to be the inspiration for the main character in the movie Cocktail. (famous scene below in video section, notice the exterior of the building at the beginning of the clip)

The restaurant was created by Stillman as a cocktail bar to help meet single women in the area. Your assumption of the reasons for that would be correct.

The chain has been credited for bringing the cocktail bar to the forefront of New York and later American culture that was so popular in the 70’s and 80’s.

The second location opened in Memphis, Tennessee in 1970. The third in Dallas, Texas.

They were the first American restaurant to open in Russia

They invented the potato skins in 1974

Timing was everythineverything asaurant opened shortly after The Pill (birth control) was approved by the FDA in 1960 with 6.5 million women taking it by 1965.

 

Interesting Articles:

A Cocktail Party In The Street: An Interview With Alan Stillman (ediblegeography.com)

10 Things You Didn’t Know (thedailymeal.com)

14 Things You Didn’t Know About TGI Friday’s (thrillist.com)

Changing the Casual Dining Game (foodnewsfeed.com)

TGI Friday’s expands Amazon partnership (nrn.com)

10 Flair-Covered Facts About TGI Friday’s (mentalfloss.com)

Overhauling Its Design and It’s Going to Look Completely Different (eonline.com)

14 Things You Didn’t Know About TGI Friday’s (dmagazine.com)

 

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Social Media

Followers (as of September 2018) –  

Facebook: 1,681,124

Twitter: 213,000

Instagram: 189,000

Mobile Apps

Alternatives

Food Type: Applebee’s, Chili’s, O’Charley’s

Restaurant Type: Abuelo’s, Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili’s, Chuy’s, Famous Dave’s, O’Charley’s, Red Robin, Texas Roadhouse, TGI Fridays 

For an alphabetical listing of all our restaurants, simply go to our Restaurants Page.

 

In Summary

Alan Stillman wanted to hook up with women before there was a socially acceptable place to do that, so he created one. He saw something missing from his city that he felt there would be a demand for and he was right. Was he so inspirational in doing so that he created the fictional character Brian Flanagan in Cocktail? Who knows. As the chain grew and moved south, the restaurant began to look at attracting families as well as singles looking for a good time. Their origin, their “story” and the initial concept of the restaurant are most likely pretty black and white, you either approve and support it, or don’t and are turned off by it. What camp you fall into is your choice, but at least now you know how TGI Friday’s began. If you are drawn to the story, it might be a good fit for what you’re looking for, but certainly, don’t visit for the family atmosphere or food.

 

Videos