Unofficially dubbed the “summer of beer” by Friday’s and its Better with Brew menu, Facebook users can help their friends cool down during the hot months via the new Buy Your Friend A Beer application. And, just in time for Father’s Day, sons and daughters can finally move on from the go-to gifts of socks or a tie and buy dad a beer for his special day.

Any Facebook user 21 years and older can buy their Facebook friends up to five beers simply by “liking” the Friday’s fan page and placing an order through the custom tab. Recipients receive an electronic gift card to redeem in restaurant. The purchase price is set at $5, regardless of the recipient’s regional location, and is redeemable for any beer of choice, non-alcoholic beverage or food item at any local T.G.I. Friday’s.

The Buy Your Friend A Beer app is an extension of Friday’s summer-long celebration of the relationship between great food and a cold draft, pairing innovative dishes with the bold, hoppy flavors of regional craft beer. Introduced last month, Friday’s is offering menu items that incorporate beer into the food recipe. Entree examples include the Black Angus Brew House Steak which is prepared with a beer and citrus marinade, and the Ale House Baby Back Ribs which are slow-cooked and fire-grilled with craft beer. With the new application, guests can easily pair a beer with their meal, courtesy of a Facebook friend.  

“Who doesn’t love being treated to a beer? Whether to celebrate or commiserate, friends have been buying friends beers for centuries and our guests are no exception to this tradition,” said Shannon Gewinner, vice president, brand marketing, T.G.I. Friday’s. “No matter the time or place, our guests can share that Friday feeling and use this latest app to surprise their Facebook friends, including dads, with a cold one this summer.”

Along with a wide variety of draft and bottled beer available at Friday’s, guests redeeming an e-gift card can also choose from the following, new regional craft beer selections (availability varies by state):

• Harpoon IPA
• Magic Hat #9
• New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
• Goose Island Honkers Ale
• Abita Amber
• Alaskan IPA (Alaska only)
• Boulevard Wheat
• Uinta Cutthroat Ale (Utah only)

For more information and to buy a beer, consumers can visit www.facebook.com/TGIFridays.

Just in time for summer, T.G.I. Friday’s is bringing out the best seasonal flavors by introducing a new line of menu items inspired by and prepared with beer and featuring other bold, fresh ingredients. The new menu combines innovative dishes with craft beer, proving that great food is “better with brew.” Friday’s guests can celebrate the relationship between great food and a cold draft, pairing new seafood or steak dishes with the bold, hoppy flavors of Fat Tire, Magic Hat and other craft beers being introduced to the beer roster.

Friday’s is offering these regional craft beers in its restaurants for the first time, answering the call by 40 percent of consumers who like to try beer that pairs well with a seasonal dish, according to a recent survey. At its most popular in the summer – 34 percent of consumers indicate the warm months are the best time to enjoy the hoppy beverage – beer plays a key role in this summer’s menu, providing an added twist to the robust flavor of each new item.

“Beer is an essential ingredient to summer and this season’s menu stands out with the inclusion of the best regional craft brews from around the country as a pairing for complementary meals and as an ingredient in the actual recipes,” said Ricky Richardson, executive vice president and chief concept officer, T.G.I. Friday’s. “Whether our guests are enjoying an entree that has been marinated in a craft beer like our Black Angus Brew House Steak, or looking to kick back with a cold beer, they can do so at Friday’s – just as they would at a backyard barbeque or summer picnic.”

The new menu features tasty, beer-inspired dishes such as the Ale House Shrimp & Chips served with a Stout beer remoulade sauce and the Black Angus Brewhouse Steak with a beer and citrus marinade; sweet treats to help guests cool-off this summer, like the Guinness Stout shake and Ice Cream Strawberry Shortcake; and regional craft beers, such as Harpoon IPA and Goose Island Honkers Ale, which will satisfy the palates of the most discerning beer drinker.

Learn more about the new menu:

New Entrees:

• Black Angus Brew House Steak: Premium Black Angus 8 oz. Flat Iron Steak slowly marinated in a homemade brine of beer and citrus then fire-grilled to order. Served with a craft beer sauce, potato salad and buttered summer green beans.
• Parmesan-Crusted Crab Flounder: Tender flounder fillets splashed with craft beer, pan-seared to perfection, and crowned with deviled crabmeat and crispy Parmesan breadcrumbs. Served with fresh lemon, jasmine rice pilaf and buttered summer green beans.
• Ale House Baby Back Ribs: Tender, mouth-watering baby back pork ribs slow-cooked in-house and fire-grilled with craft beer for one-of-a-kind flavor. Glazed with Jack Daniels Championship BBQ sauce and served with a side of potato salad and buttered summer green beans.
• Dijon-Crusted Beer Chicken: Pan-seared chicken fillets marinated in craft beer, flavored with Dijon, then lightly breaded with seasoned bread crumbs. Served hot with a tossed mixed greens salad and grape tomatoes drizzled with our Caesar Vinaigrette.

New Appetizer:

• Ale House Shrimp and Chips: Crispy mix of beer-battered and breaded crowns of fresh broccoli, sliced red peppers and Cajun-spiced shrimp served on home-style potato chips with Cucumber-Wasabi Ranch dip and a Stout beer remoulade sauce.

New Sweet Treats:

• Ice Cream Strawberry Shortcake: Warm shortcake topped with two scoops of vanilla ice cream, fresh strawberries and whipped cream. Sweet.
• Guinness Stout (Adults Only!): An Irish Dream! A Guinness Stout beer blended with rich chocolate syrup and vanilla ice cream. Topped with whipped cream.
• Mandarin Dreamsicle (Adults Only!): Cointreau orange liqueur added to an orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream shake. Topped with mandarin oranges and whipped cream.

New Craft Beers: Availability will vary by state

• Harpoon IPA
• Magic Hat #9
• New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale
• Goose Island Honkers Ale
• Abita Amber
• Alaskan IPA (Alaska only)
• Boulevard Wheat
• Uinta Cutthroat Ale (Utah only)

T.G.I. Friday’s offers a unique, casual experience delivering on its brand promise of “In Here it’s ALWAYS Friday” melding authentic and imaginative American food, exciting and innovative drinks and a one of a kind service experience to provide liberation from the everyday — turning any day into a FRIDAY! It is also famous for its knowledgeable and charismatic bartenders, nearly 8,000 of whom compete annually for the title of the “Greatest T.G.I. Friday’s Bartender in the World.” As the original casual dining restaurant, Friday’s delights guests in more than 900 restaurants across more than 60 countries around the globe.

T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants are adding more choice, recognition, and surprises to its Give Me More Stripes loyalty program, an industry first when introduced in April 2008. Based on recent research and guest feedback on more than 300 potential features and benefits, Friday’s is refreshing its loyalty program for its millions of Stripes members, offering more rewards faster while retaining several of the program’s most popular benefits.

“With the new reward structure, upgraded and increased program benefits, and added ‘surprise and delight’ guest experiences, we are helping our valued Give Me More Stripes members earn and redeem Stripes faster,” said Trey Hall, chief marketing officer of Friday’s. “The enhanced program also serves as an important element of our commitment to remain the casual dining restaurant of choice for guests worldwide.”

Variety is the Spice of Stripes

Guests can now join the free program by visiting GiveMeMoreStripes.com, or can text “JOIN” to 698443 and, in seconds, become a Stripes member and get his/her new account number. For those who are all thumbs, there is an available option to join in any restaurant on the Jukebox interactive touch screen, or at the table with a sign-up form.

Members earn one Stripe for every $1 spent. Previously, members automatically received an $8 food reward for 100 Stripes earned. With the newly updated program, members now have more choice and flexibility in redeeming their Stripes for a variety of delicious food. Now there are five different rewards to redeem with Stripes. For example:

• 50 Stripes = Free dessert, like a Brownie Obsession
• 80 Stripes = Free sandwich or burger
• 100 Stripes = $8 food reward (existing reward)
• 100 Stripes = Free seafood or chicken entree (not including Jack Daniels, combos or premium items)
• 150 Stripes = Free steak or ribs entree (not including Jack Daniels, combos or premium items)

This new reward structure allows members to redeem Stripes at a faster rate. With the new program, members can earn rewards in as little as one or two meals. In addition, members can now also redeem Stripes anytime instead of waiting for an email certificate when 100 Stripes are earned. All the new rewards are valid for 60 days, giving members twice as much time to redeem the reward than before.

VIP Treatment for Friday’s MVPs

Recognizing its greatest fans, Friday’s will sprinkle in a few surprises for Stripes members throughout the year. This treat could be an appetizer, dessert or other delicious small plate. And, after every three visits, members will receive a Jump the Line Pass, allowing them to skip to the front of the line and get immediate seating. They also receive member-only offers and invitations to exclusive events, like food/beverage tastings and menu previews.

The Best Loved, Stays

At the same time, benefits contributing to the Stripes program success remain, such as:

• Free membership
• Earn 1 Stripe for every $1 spent on food
• Free appetizer or dessert AND a Jump the Line Pass just for joining (sent via email)
• Free dessert w/entree purchase during birthday month

After an extensive search process, Nick Shepherd, president and chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, named Ian Saunders as president and chief operating officer for T.G.I. Friday’s International and a member of the Carlson Restaurants Worldwide executive team.  

In his new role, Saunders will be responsible for all aspects of our International business, leading the International management team, and continuing to refine and execute our aggressive growth strategy.  He comes to Friday’s® with extensive global food service experience and a track record of driving and sustaining aggressive business results in the global marketplace.  

Prior to joining Friday’s, Ian was with Papa John’s International, Inc. where he most recently served as Regional Vice President, Europe, Middle East and Africa.  Prior to Papa John’s, Ian spent six years in General Management roles within the UK-based Geest Ltd., a leading manufacturer and distributor of produce and fresh prepared foods to the food service and retail sector, and fifteen years in various leadership roles at Yum! Brands, Inc. Ian’s formative years were spent working in the casual dining sector with London-based Grand Metropolitan PLC and Whitbread PLC.

“Adding Ian to our international business and our Executive Team is a huge win for us,” said Shepherd.  ”Ian’s extensive global knowledge and innovative thinking combined with his successful track record of driving and sustaining aggressive business growth in the global marketplace, make him the ideal candidate for this key role in our business.”

Saunders, who received his Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Catering Management from the University of Surrey, and his Master of Business Administration from United Kingdom’s Cranfield University, will reside in the United Kingdom.  Saunders first day in his new position will be March 1.  

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™ 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 February 2010, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses more than 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. For more information, visit http://www.fridays.com.