TGI Fridays™ Uncovers Truths about the Couples vs. Singles Debate, Gets to the Bottom of Who's Having More Fun

CARROLLTON, Texas, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After almost 50 years in the bar and grill business, TGI Fridays knows relationships. Since opening its doors in 1965, Fridays™ has seen more dates, connections, break-ups and make-ups than any other bar in America. With such a long history, it's fitting that Fridays would have the best insight into who is having more fun this Valentine's Day.

Fridays was one of the first places to use popular promotions such as "Ladies' Night," and made Happy Hours legendary. Fridays' handcrafted cocktails made by the world's best bartenders are shaken or stirred into every holiday, and Valentine's Day is no exception.

According to a national consumer poll conducted by Penn Schoen Berland in January 2014 on behalf of TGI Fridays, meeting people at a bar or restaurant is still a great way to connect. Nearly one in 10 singles said the last person they went on a date with was someone they met at a bar or restaurant, and one out of every five singles between the ages of 25-34 also said that's where they met their last date. And this year, single gals are well-positioned to potentially meet Mr. Right on Valentine's Day. While 10% of single women are planning to go out with friends, 27% of single men are heading out with the guys - that's almost three guys for every gal!

Singles will be sharing the scene with couples this Valentine's Day:  57% of men in relationships would rather go on a date instead of watching sports, playing video games or working out, and 71% of women in relationships rate a date with their significant other higher than chick flicks, girls' night out and the gym.

Most importantly, more than one third of both men and women, singles and couples, say that Friday is their favorite day of the week to go out. To celebrate that Valentine's Day falls on a Friday this year, whether you want to thank your "Wingman" for introducing you to your love, go out for cocktails with the girls, share a drink with your Valentine, or just share your opinion, Fridays has something for everyone:

#ThanksWingman
Fridays has witnessed enough pick-ups and connections to know that the most important person in the equation is the "Wingman." Since the survey results tell us to expect three single men for every one single woman out on Valentine's Day, there's going to be a lot of Wingmen to thank. Fridays is planning to give thanks to the valued Wingman by inviting guests to buy him or her – what else?  Wings – via Twitter. To participate, guests must follow @TGIFridays and tweet using the hashtag #thankswingman for a chance to gift wings for their wingman.  The first 500 guys (or gals) to tweet using the #thankswingman will receive a complimentary $15 e-gift card within 24 hours to TGI Fridays to use toward an order of wings. The program will run from Feb. 10-Feb. 14, or until 500 Wingmen have been rewarded. 

Join the Great Debate
Regardless of their relationship status, Fridays is encouraging guys and gals to join the debate this Valentine's Day.  People – single or taken – can cast their vote at TGIFridays.com/CouplesvsSingles to help decide who's having more fun: #TGImTaken or #TGImSingle.

COSMO NOIR Signature Drink and Drink Specials
Nothing says "I love you" like the perfect cocktail, or the perfect deal. This Valentine's Day, Fridays is offering its signature Cosmo Noir, a Valentine's Day-inspired drink featuring SVEDKA Raspberry Vodka, lemon juice and Monin Vanilla Pure Extract, topped with a layer of Cupcake Vineyard Pinot Noir.  This drink does not discriminate and is available for singles and couples alike.  Fridays knows that sometimes you drink to share, and sometimes you're looking to share, so enjoy selections from our newly expanded wine list, including half-priced bottles of wine from Feb. 13-16 (excludes champagne, Prosecco and Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio) at participating locations.

"Fridays' history confirms that Valentine's Day isn't just a day of romance for couples or a day of lamenting for singles. All of our guests are invited to come in and hang out, and enjoy the craveable food and handcrafted drinks we're famous for," said Brian Gies, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer.  "Our Valentine's Day drink specials, and gratitude for the Wingman, are just a few ways that make Fridays a great spot for nurturing existing connections, and making new ones." 

To obtain a copy of the infographic and additional survey results, please contact us at [email protected].

For more news and updates from TGI Fridays, guests can follow the brand on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TGIFridays), Twitter @TGIFridays and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/user/tgifridays).

About TGI Fridays 
TGI Fridays restaurants have a mission: To help people go out better.  Because a better time with friends leads to a better life.

As the original casual dining bar and grill, TGI Fridays offers authentic American food and legendary drinks.  To bring our menu to neighborhoods all over the world, TGI Fridays proudly serves guests with over 900 restaurants in more than 60 countries.  Making every day feel like a Friday wouldn't be possible without creating a place where friends feel free to hang out. That's why TGI Fridays takes pride in its nearly 8,000 skilled and knowledgeable bartenders, all of whom for the past twenty years have competed annually for the title of the "World's Greatest TGI Fridays Bartender."

The Fridays guest recognition program, Give Me More Stripes®, gives our closest friends exclusive insider rewards, events, and sneak peeks.

TGI Fridays believes in having a good time, but also in the importance of drinking responsibly. Additionally, its Responsible Business Program is focused on positively impacting the communities and neighborhoods it serves.  For more information, visit www.fridays.com.

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SOURCE TGI Fridays