T.G.I. Friday's(R) Restaurants Say 'The Vote Is On!' for 'The All-American Drink'

TGI Fridays
Published: December 19th, 2008

Friday's(R) 'Give Me More Stripes(TM)' Members to Determine America's Most Popular Drink In Time for World's Largest Inauguration Party

CARROLLTON, Texas, Dec. 18 // PRNewswire // -- T.G.I. Friday's restaurants today announced that its Give Me More Stripes members will be hitting the polls to determine the All-American Drink. Oh, and the winning drink will be featured at the World's Largest Inauguration Party on January 20.

"T.G.I. Friday's is an All-American restaurant, "said Andrew Jordan, senior vice president of marketing for T.G.I. Friday's USA, "It just makes sense that our guests should determine once and for all the All-American Drink."

Friday's is calling on the members of its guest recognition program Give Me More Stripes to determine the winner. Want to vote? All you have to do is sign up! Give Me More Stripes members will be able to vote until January 9 by logging on to http://www.givememorestripes.com.

"Our best guests know a good party when they see it and a great drink when they taste it," said Jordan. "Their choice will be forever known as the 'All-American Drink.'"

The five finalists, determined by Friday's based on sales and popularity at its 600 plus U.S. restaurants, are:

• Long Island Iced Tea
• Cape Cod
• Cosmopolitan
• Jack(TM) & Coke
• Martini

Voting for the "All-American Drink" begins online today (http://www.givememorestripes.com) and ends January 9 (the winner will be announced January 13). On the day of the party at 9 p.m. local time the drink will be honored by the famous T.G.I. Friday's bartenders in a Friday's-style toast heard 'round the world

"This is going to be huge and recognizing the 'All-American Drink' is just part of our plans," continued Jordan. "For us, it's just a great excuse for a party and nobody, and I mean nobody, throws down a party like T.G.I. Friday's."

Other plans include:

• Special drink prices for all guests at participating restaurants. "Well, at least in those restaurants where we can legally do it," said Jordan.
• Half-priced appetizers ALL MONTH LONG with the purchase of an entree during January. "That way, if your favorite drink doesn't win, you'll still have a great taste in your mouth."
• Friday's-style commemorative buttons while they last (sample: "I Rocked at the World's Largest Inauguration Party ... " to prove you were at THE party.

While the party is open to all guests, Friday's Give Me More Stripes' members will receive extra-special perks as they do year-round.

On January 20, in addition to the other party perks, Give Me More Stripes members will receive double stripes all day long and will be treated to a free Inauguration appetizer of red and white Friday's chips served with traditional salsa and Chipotle ranch dip.

"We're not done dreaming up awesome offers for that day," said Jordan. "We want The World's Largest Inauguration Party to be a day that all Friday's guests will remember, especially our most loyal ones."

About Give Me More Stripes

The only nationwide in-restaurant program of its kind is just shy of 600,000 members in the U.S. Give Me More Stripes perks available at participating restaurants.

Membership benefits include:

• Personalized & customized membership card
• Free appetizer or dessert upon sign-up (up to $8 value)
• One-time use jump-the-line-pass
• $8 certificate for every $100 spent (excluding alcohol-only purchases)
• Exclusive communication about specials and food/drink previews

About Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc.

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, travel and marketing industries. As of December 2008, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 62 countries.

SOURCE T.G.I. Friday's restaurants