T.G.I. Friday's

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T.G.I. Friday's (often referred to as just "Fridays" by the company) is an American restaurant chain focusing on casual dining, with over 500 restaurants across the United States and Canada as of 2004, as well as many other countries around the world. The company is a unit of the Carlson Companies. The name is taken from the expression "TGIF", or "Thank God/Goodness It's Friday." The restaurant chain is known for its appearance, with red-striped canopies, brass railings, Tiffany lamps, and frequent use of antiques as decor.

A sign at a T.G.I. Friday's franchise in Pensacola, Florida.

Friday's has a large menu with an emphasis on alcoholic beverages. A section of their menu is dedicated to the "Jack Daniel's Grill," a selection of items flavored with a special Jack Daniel's sauce. Another section of the menu is for Atkins approved appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

The Friday's restaurant chain was founded in 1965 in New York City, featuring standard American cuisine, bar food, and alcoholic beverages. The exterior featured a red-and-white striped awning, and blue paint, and the interior included wooden floors, Bentwood chairs, and striped tablecloth. The bar area added brass rails, and stained glass. The employees were young, with wacky uniforms, and every time you had someone's birthday, the whole restaurant crew came around with a cake, and singing Friday's traditional Birthday song. The restaurant's second location was established in 1970 in Memphis, Tennessee's Overton Square district. That location has since closed.

Friday's has also been used as a restaurant for hotels ran by the Holiday Inn brand.

The restaurant was parodied in the 1999 movie Office Space as Chotchkie's, poking fun at Friday's hyper-friendly employees and their garish uniforms adorned with "flair" (such as buttons, sunglasses or funny hats). It has also been parodied in The Catherine Tate Show.

The chain is also said to be the inspiration for the 2005 independently-produced film Waiting....

The restaurant also sells some of its menu items such as snack items (TGI Friday's Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins) as well as frozen foods in grocery stores around the country, and even a few Walgreens.

References and External links

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