TGI Fridays re-enters Las Vegas market as domestic development gains momentum

TGI Fridays is ramping up U.S. development. Photo courtesy of TGI Fridays

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TGI Fridays is slowly building its U.S. portfolio back up after years of closures. The casual-dining company just announced a new development agreement with LVP Food Service Concepts LLC to open five new restaurants in the Las Vegas market over the next three years.

This announcement shortly follows the agreement with franchisee Bliss Bites LLC, announced in September, which will open new stores across New York state. That announcement was the company’s first U.S. development agreement in a decade, on top of other international franchising announcements earlier this year.

“We’re focusing on growing our domestic footprint to continue delivering on our 1-2-3 Strategic Vision and a non-negotiable for our partners is having a proven track record in markets where our iconic brand belongs,” Ashley Kirkley, COO of TGI Fridays, said in a statement.

LVP Food Service Concepts already operates multiple national and regional restaurant brands in the Las Vegas market, including KFC, Del Taco, Dunkin’, Sbarro, and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Its parent company, LV Petroleum, owns more than 90 c-stores and rest stops across the country.

“LVP Food Service Concepts’ history of partnering with America’s favorite brands makes them the ideal partner to bring TGI Fridays back to Las Vegas, a market they know better than anyone and we look forward to a long and fruitful relationship,” Kirkley added.

LVP Food Service Concepts will be the master franchisee of the Vegas market, and the company plans to open TGI Fridays locations both in traditional and nontraditional locations, like in hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas strip.

“The Las Vegas restaurant landscape needs well-known, accessible brands that provide guests with craveable food and bold flavors,” Jeanette L. Davis, senior vice president of LV Petroleum, said in a statement. “We are excited to be working with such an iconic brand and look forward to a successful relationship.”

Contact Joanna at joanna.fantozzi@informa.com