With membership in its Give Me More Stripes (www.givememorestripes.com) guest recognition program nearing half a million, T.G.I. Friday's restaurants (www.fridays.com) today added another free food component to the program at participating restaurants while supplies last: a free bag of Cheddar and Bacon Potato Skins during lunch.

"The response to the 'Give Me More Stripes' program continues to be overwhelming, with over 450,000 of our best guests now receiving special recognition at T.G.I. Friday's," said Andrew Jordan, senior vice president of marketing for T.G.I. Friday's USA. "We will now recognize those members with a special takeaway treat during lunch and we will continue to explore other ways to elevate the T.G.I. Friday's in-restaurant experience."

The free bag of potato skins will be given to Give Me More Stripes members between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The new perk for program members follows a members-only free food initiative this summer where members were surprised in-restaurant with complimentary chips and dip and hummus and chips.

According to a recent survey1 conducted by Harris Interactive® on behalf of T.G.I. Friday's restaurants, nearly nine in ten (87%) of U.S. adults said they would find membership in a restaurant recognition or rewards program appealing. Of those adults, nearly eight in ten (79%) would find complimentary food/drink an appealing feature in a restaurant recognition and rewards program membership.

"Leaders listen," continued Jordan. "We'll continue to take the traditional loyalty program to another level through guest recognition. Give Me More Stripes will continue to evolve according to guest feedback and individuals' preferences."

Current Give Me More Stripes 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)

•Exclusive communication about specials and food/drink previews

T.G.I. Friday's Cheddar & Bacon Skins, the #1 selling product in the T.G.I. Friday's retail line of salty snacks, are manufactured by The Inventure Group (Nasdaq: SNAK). They feature tasty potatoes and real potato skins and can be found in the potato chip aisle of local grocery, convenience and drug stores in addition to vending machines.