By Susan Smith, Staff Reporter 
The new TGI Fridays building at the corner of Hope and Lady Musgrave roads in St. Andrew. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
THE AMERICAN-BASED fast-food franchise TGI Fridays (TGIF) is now in Jamaica.
The restaurant, which is located by the intersection of Hope and Lady Musgrave roads in St. Andrew is set to be opened early next month.
It promises to provide an exceptional service for everyone according to General Manager Sean Nieves.
RANGE OF SERVICES
TGIF is a casual dining restaurant with a bar and will be offering a full range of services for its 'guests' as Mr. Nieves puts it.
"We cater for everybody with friendly service, great food and drink in a fun and warm atmosphere by loving people who will create a warm homely feeling," he said.
The meals at TGIF will range from chicken to hamburgers prepared with American recipes, explained Mr. Nieves.
Additionally, beverages of all sorts, including alcoholic ones, will be available. Mr. Nieves explained that the restaurant is large enough to accommodate about 190 people.
TGIF will employ approximately 92 persons who, according to Mr. Nieves, have already been identified and are currently in training. He said the restaurant will have an all-local staff complement including the managers.
"The feel of the restaurant will be created by the staff," he emphasised.
EXPANDING IN THE REGION
TGIF is the sixth of its kind in the Caribbean. The first two were established five years ago in Trinidad and Tobago with a third now under construction there. The other two are located in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Mr. Nieves informed Sunday Business that Prestige Holdings, Limited, a Trinidadian company, has been given the rights to develop the brand throughout the Spanish and English-speaking Caribbean and to establish itself in Jamaica as part of its drive to expand in the region.
"We started construction in April 2004 after six months of feasibility research. We think we have a very good location," he said, pointing to the heavy flow of traffic in that vicinity.
Additionally, with Kings' House located just across the road from TGIF, Mr. Nieves believes this should reinforce good security for the business.
He was unable to disclose the total cost of putting up the entire operation because of the nature of the franchise agreement but said that the cost of tearing down the entire structure and rebuilding from scratch is more than $100 million.
COMPETITORS
Mr. Nieves considers everyone who sells the dining experience his competitors but said that he is optimistic the restaurant will do well.
"The food will be good and I believe there are enough people to serve everyone," he said. "We will open our doors and see what happens."
DESIGN
TGIF is beautifully decorated in black, red, white and blue. As one enters the portals of the restaurant, one finds oneself in a neat black box with the option of turning right or left to the dining areas.
Mr. Nieves said there will be a hostess stationed at the box to greet the guests and have them seated.
"The feel of the restaurant will be created by the staff," says Mr. Nieves.
There is a rectangular bar which may seat approximately 25 persons in the middle of the restaurant. On the both sides of the bar, there is a variety of seating arrangements from which the guests can choose.
The TGIF franchise has over 300 chains worldwide in over 54 countries. The opening hours will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. from Sundays to Thursdays and 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mr. Nieves said additional parking for TGIF guests will be made available on a nearby compound on Lady Musgrave Road.
