TGI Fridays signs deal to open 10 restaurants in the Balkans
TGI Fridays says the deal marks its first expansion into Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia and is part of its franchise-first global growth plan.
TGI Fridays said it has signed a development agreement with Kosovo-based Devolli Group to open 10 restaurants in Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia.
TGI Fridays announced the agreement on Sept. 4, saying it is the brand’s first expansion into the Balkans. Under the deal, Devolli Group will develop 10 TGI Fridays restaurants across the three markets and will have exclusive rights to sub-franchise the brand throughout the territory.
The company said the partnership fits its franchise-first international growth strategy and its “1-2-3 Strategic Vision,” which targets more than 1,000 restaurants worldwide by 2030. TGI Fridays said the Balkans deal is one part of that plan.
The company said the agreement gives the restaurant chain a new regional foothold in Southeast Europe, where it expects to bring its bar-forward dining format to new customers. In the release, TGI Fridays also said the deal could create jobs, support local hospitality talent and aid the region’s foodservice, tourism and visitor economy.
TGI Fridays said it currently operates nearly 400 restaurants in almost 40 countries. It also said that over the past nine months it has signed development agreements in Kenya and the Maldives, and extended partnerships in Peru, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, Greece, Cyprus and Spain. TGI Fridays said those deals added more than 150 restaurants to its global development pipeline.
The company described Devolli Group as a diversified business group headquartered in Kosovo and one of the largest privately owned business groups in Southeast Europe. The release did not give a timetable for when the first Balkan locations would open.
Phil Broad, TGI Fridays’ global president, said the Balkans represent “one of Europe’s most exciting growth opportunities” and called Devolli Group “the right partner” to introduce the brand to the region.
Blerim Devolli, president of Devolli Group, said the company is proud to bring TGI Fridays to Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
The release did not detail the rollout plan for the 10 restaurants or any sub-franchise agreements within the territory.
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