Global Franchise 10.2

Q: You’ve just announced extended franchise agreements in Peru and Japan. How do these fit into the bigger picture? A: They’re really exciting markets for us. We’ve just extended our development agreements with two long-term, highly capable partners (Franquicias Alimentarias in Peru andWatami in Japan) to develop more than 50 new restaurants between them. We’ve already seen great traction. In Peru, we recently opened at Real Plaza Primavera in Lima, which takes our footprint there to 20 restaurants. In Japan, our new opening inYokohama strengthens our presence in the Kanto region. Across both countries, we now have more than 30 restaurants, and we’re just getting started. These partnerships demonstrate confidence in the brand, in our strategy, and in the future of Fridays. Both partners understand the DNA of the brand and what makes it special. They live and breathe it in their local markets, which is exactly what we look for in franchisees. Q: Fridays has such a long legacy. How do you balance that heritage with staying relevant for today’s guests? A: It’s all about evolution, not reinvention. Fridays has a spirit – that sense of fun, energy, and hospitality – that people recognize and love. Our job is to keep that alive while modernizing how we deliver it. That means rethinking design, menu innovation, technology, and the guest experience so it feels contemporary but still unmistakably Fridays.Whether it’s in London, Lima, or Tokyo, we want guests to feel that same warmth and vibrancy when they walk through the door. Q: How does that translate into the franchise model? A: Fridays isn’t a one-size-fits-all brand. We’ve built a flexible model that works across different markets and venues, from flagship restaurants and hotel partnerships to airports and compact urban sites. That adaptability gives us real strength as we expand. It allows us to grow efficiently while keeping our identity intact. Every format, no matter how big or small, still delivers that Fridays experience – the energy, the service, and that sense of celebration. Q: What does being a world-class franchisor mean in practice? Phil Broad: It means always putting franchisees first. Our role is to make sure our partners have the right training, the right systems, and the right ongoing support to be successful. But it’s also about partnership – listening, learning, and being there when they need us. We want to be known as a franchisor that cares – one that celebrates success, shares best practices, and gives franchisees confidence that we’re invested in their long-term growth.When our partners thrive, the brand thrives. That’s how we’ll reach our goals together. Q: Looking ahead, what’s next for TGI Fridays ? A: More growth, but the right kind. We’re building towards 1,000 restaurants globally, and we’re doing it by focusing on quality partnerships, strong local execution, and consistent brand experience. Fridays has the legacy, the systems, and the people to get there. Most importantly, we have the energy.We’ve got the spark back, and that’s what’s going to carry us forward. “When our franchise partners thrive, the brand thrives.That's howwe'll reach our goals together” 51 GLOBAL-FRANCHISE.COM Ins ight