TGI Friday's Inc. today announced that St. Louis-based Bistro Americain West I LLC, the newest T.G.I. Friday's franchisee, has been awarded an 8-unit development agreement for counties in northern California. The franchise group's first restaurant will open in Cupertino, California today and will employ approximately 90 team members.

"We are delighted to welcome Bistro Americain West I LLC to the T.G.I. Friday's family," said Nick Shepherd, president and chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent of T.G.I. Friday's. "The T.G.I. Friday's brand is committed to northern California and I believe this visionary organization is the perfect partner to bring the Friday's experience to our guests in this valuable market."

Industry and T.G.I. Friday's veteran Patrick C. Burns, COO, will serve as one of three key principals within the Bistro Americain West I LLC organization in addition to Gary J. Grewe, CEO industry veteran in national real estate and development and Michael A. Wyss, CFO, who brings twenty five years of experience within the hospitality industry.

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, travel and marketing industries. As of July 2009, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses approximately 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. For more information, visit http://www.fridays.com.