At their house, he says, cooking was a family affair. The head chef at Amalgamated Spirit and Provision for six years before hooking up with Friday's franchise three years ago, Williams was promoted to his present post in August after starting there as a cook. And we pay a lot of attention to kids. We really cater to families. In nationwide surveys, Williams points out, T.G.I. Friday's regularly shows up in the top 5 as a family favorite.
Birthdays are a big deal there, too, with group singing, balloons and prizes all around.
Still, while the sizzle may draw curious customers once, it takes more than atmosphere to keep them coming back. And with more than 400 outlets around the country, T.G.I. Friday's has a proven record of success. We like to have something for everyone. There are Mexican dishes, traditional American fare like steaks and ribs, poultry and fish, several types of pasta, turkey reubens, several salads and even an extensive line of vegetarian items. The drink list alone totals 400 concoctions, and there are several specialty kids drinks.