T.G.I. Friday's® Hosts "Last Friday" Nationwide on Eve of Mayan Calendar Last Day

CARROLLTON, Texas, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Forget bringing in the weekend, T.G.I. Friday's is bringing in the world's end like no one else can. With potentially only three more weeks left for all of mankind, T.G.I. Friday's is inviting guests to celebrate all over the country on Friday, December 21^st – the date predicted on the Mayan calendar to mark the end of the world as we know it. Friday's plans to party like there's no tomorrow with Mayan-inspired "Last Friday" celebrations in select cities such as Los Angeles and Miami.

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The Mayan prediction is not something Friday's took lightly. After all, with a brand born to celebrate the end of the work week, Friday's felt it had an obligation to pay attention to the prediction and certainly to celebrate the possible end of civilization. With no way to know for sure one way or the other, CEO Nick Shepherd gave Friday's a challenge that regardless of the outcome, 12.21.12 would be celebrated as if it was the Last Friday. 

"When I thought about the potential end of the world, on a Friday no less, I knew we had to do something about it," said Nick Shepherd, CEO of Carlson Restaurants. "Whether this really is the end of the world, or just the beginning of the weekend, our guests know they can always count on us to get the party started. We don't know what is going to happen, so we might as well live it up and embrace that Friday feeling, even if it is just one last time."

Special-edition Last Friday celebrations will take place in Miami, Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C., Orlando and Tampa, where local DJs will get the parties started while Friday's world class bartenders shake it up with Mayan Margaritas, beer, wine and other beverages. With Mayan-inspired decor to set the mood, guests can indulge in their last meal with shareable signature Friday's appetizers while enjoying dance music, giveaways, photo booths, and more.

Celebrations will also be held at select Friday's restaurants throughout the country on December 21^st, complete with music, happy hour specials, goodies and more. Details on events can be found at www.thelastfriday.com. 

In addition, beginning today guests can enter to win an End of the World "Survival Kit," chock full of necessities to craft their favorite cocktail, including a mini-shaker, cup, glassware, bottle opener and an energy drink – or they could win a $500 bank card. Three prize winners will be selected daily. For contest rules or to enter, visit www.facebook.com/TGIFridays, "like" the page, and click on the "Mayan End of the World" Facebook application button to launch the Sweepstakes application.

No party, especially one thrown by Friday's, would be complete without a plan for the day after. On the chance that mankind survives to see Saturday, Friday's will be on-hand to help guests recover from their celebrations with scratch-made Bloody Marys as well as craveable food.

All Last Friday parties are open to the public. Give Me More Stripes® members will be invited as VIPs to all events, granting them special access to the parties and select Last Friday collectibles. To learn more about specific events, guests can visit www.thelastfriday.com, follow the brand on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TGIFridays), Twitter @TGIFridays and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/tgifridays).

About T.G.I. Friday's®

T.G.I. Friday's restaurants offer authentic American food and exciting drinks in an atmosphere that provides an energizing Friday feeling – any day of the week. Friday's® guest recognition program, Give Me More Stripes®, rewards loyal guests with great deals and fun events year-round, creating an engaging customer experience. As the original casual dining restaurant, T.G.I. Friday's differentiates itself with a unique point of view which promises to exhilarate its guests with the feeling of Friday. T.G.I. Friday's, which operates more than 900 restaurants in more than 60 countries, is also famous for its knowledgeable and charismatic bartenders, approximately 8,000 of whom compete annually for the title of the "Greatest T.G.I. Friday's Bartender in the World." T.G.I. Friday's believes in the importance of acting responsibly and as a result its Responsible Business Program is focused on positively impacting the economic and environmental well-being of the communities and neighborhoods in which it operates. For more information, visit www.fridays.com.

SOURCE T.G.I. Friday's