The Board of Directors of Carlson has authorized a review of strategic alternatives available to the company, including a possible sale of TGI Friday’s Restaurants.  As part of the evaluation process, the board of directors of the global hospitality and travel company has selected Minneapolis-based investment bank and asset management firm Piper Jaffray to serve as its financial advisor.

Trudy Rautio, president and chief executive officer of Carlson, said, “Capitalizing on Fridays’ strong marketplace momentum, the board has determined that this is the optimum time to assess its options for the iconic restaurant brand, including a possible sale.” During this process, Fridays will continue to operate its business as usual, executing on the strategy and plans already in place that are delivering above-market performance across the U.S., U.K. and other international markets. Fridays operates more than 900 restaurants in more than 60 countries in the American casual bar and grill dining category.

The first TGI Friday’s restaurant opened in 1965 in New York City. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carlson includes more than 1300 hotels in operation and development, more than 900 TGI Friday’s restaurants and a majority stake in Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

CATEGORY:   Casual Bar & Grill

Chain Name:  TGI Friday’s

Company Name:  Carlson Restaurants/T.G.I. Fridays

Street Address: 4201 Marsh Lane, Carrollton, Texas 75007

Tel:  972/662-5400                         Fax:

Email:  realestate@fridays.com & franchise@fridays.com           Website:    www.tgifridays.com

Menu Specialty:  Premium Black Angus steaks, ribs, seafood, soups, salads, chicken & pastas, burgers, sandwiches, desserts, etc.

Introduced:  In New York City in 1965 by Alan Stillman

No. of Locations:  Over 920 restaurants in 60 countries

Areas of Operation:  Worldwide

Types of Location:  Freestanding on two acres or larger, or at major regional mall of at least 1-million sq.ft.

BusinessType (corp., franchise, jv):  Franchise

Size Req’d:  7000 to 9000 sq. ft., seating for 280 to 320 people,

Special Requirements (patio, drive-thru, etc):  High profile, hig traffic, 300,000 or more people withing14-minute drive time, daytime population of 65,000 or more within three miles, near retail, theatres, other restaurants.

Contact Name:  Nick Shepherd – President, CEO, Carlson Restaurants

Tom Kurrikoff – Exec Vice President, CFO, Carlson Restaurants

Ricky Richardson – President, COO, TGI Fridays USA

Ian Saunders - President, COO, TGI Fridays International

Lee Sanders – Exec Vice President, Chief Development Offices, Carlson Restaurants

Anne Varano – Sen Vice President, Chief People Officer, Carlson Restaurants

Don Vietti – Sen Vice President, Chief Information Officer

REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVES:

FRANCHISE REPRESENTATIVES:

PARENT COMPANY:   Carlson, 701 Carlson Pkwy, Minnetonka, Minnesota 55305 (tel: 763/212-5000)

Related Chains:  Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Carlson Wagonlit Travel

Last Report:   Restaurant & QSR Expansion Report #107      Last Update: