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T.G.I. Friday's(R) Restaurants to Open on Thanksgiving

CARROLLTON, Texas, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- T.G.I. Friday's today announced it will give its guests at participating restaurants one more thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: a few hours away from the family. The majority of Friday's® 600 restaurants in the U.S. will be open Thanksgiving afternoon (most will open at 4 pm local time, earlier in some markets) and will host football watching parties with game-day menus featuring half-price appetizers in the bar and five new wing flavors.

"T.G.I. Friday's is getting a jump on Black Friday this year with a red-and-white striped party on Thanksgiving afternoon and evening," said John Neitzel, president and chief operating officer of T.G.I. Friday's USA. "We invite you to step away from the turkey and up to the bar this year. You'll find half-price appetizers including great new wing flavors, drink specials where they'll let us, back to back football games in HD and that 'Thank God It's Friday's' attitude you won't find anywhere else. Check with your local restaurant for their specific hours and special plans."

Friday's is featuring half-price appetizers in the bar through December 23 at participating restaurants, including Thanksgiving Day. Appetizers include signature items from Loaded Potato Skins and Crispy Green Bean Fries to Buffalo Wings in boneless or traditional style, now available in six flavors, including Jack(TM) Championship BBQ, Garlic Parmesan, Classic Buffalo, Roasted Green Chile, Spice Thai or Inferno, all served with celery and Bleu Cheese or Ranch. Members of Friday's Give Me More Stripes® guest recognition program will earn double stripes on Thanksgiving Day.

You can follow T.G.I. Friday's news on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TGIFridays), Twitter @TGIFridaysNews and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/TGIFridaysNews).

With more than 900 restaurants in 60 countries, including approximately 600 restaurants in the U.S., T.G.I. Friday's offers great food, innovative drinks and a unique experience filled with flair and a Thank God It's Friday's(TM) attitude. Friday's authentic, engaging atmosphere makes it the perfect place to escape, socialize and connect with people while getting a rejuvenating second wind. Members of Give Me More Stripes®, Friday's guest recognition program, receive free stuff and special perks year-round. As the original casual dining restaurant, T.G.I. Friday's has a rich heritage which includes being credited with popularizing Happy Hour, Long Island Iced Tea and Loaded Potato Skins. T.G.I. Friday's is also famous for its flair bartenders, approximately 8000 of whom compete annually for the title of the "World's Greatest T.G.I. Friday's Bartender."

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., the parent company of TGI Friday's Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson, a world leader in the hospitality and travel industries. As of November 2009, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. For more information, visit http://www.fridays.com.

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SOURCE T.G.I. Friday's USA