Thank God Its Friday, the global restaurant chain promoted by Carlson Restaurants, will invest $5 million (Rs 22.5 crore) in widening its presence in India this year. | |
| The group is looking at opening Thank God Its Friday (TGI Friday) restaurants in Chennai, Chandigarh, Hyderabad and Mumbai. TGI Friday's is already present in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Mumbai, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Chennai. |
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| "We will expand TGI Friday's in the emerging towns as its 'your brand for you' kind of concept. We are looking for markets with a great family business where youngsters can have fun along with wholesome and affordable food," said K B Kachru, executive vice-president, Carlson Hotels Asia Pacific. |
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| The Carlson Hotel Group is also planning to open its other restaurant brand "" The Great Kebab Factory - in Bahrain, Muscat and Dubai this year. |
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| "Investments towards this end will be done by the Javed Group "" a Bahrain-based master franchisee of The Great Kebab Factory," said Kachru. The Great Kebab Factory is a signature restaurant of the Radisson Hotels, offering a rich selection of sea foods. |
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| Carlson Hotels is also looking at opportunities to make strategic investments in terms of real estate in some gateway cities. |
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| The hotel group plans to enter the market in a joint venture with real estate developers. |
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| "Our focus is to bring in all our brands from luxury to upscale brands. Besides the metro cities, we are going to target the state capitals as we see potential in these cities. We want to be among the top three players in South Asia, by 2010, with a presence in at least 30 cities in India," said Kachru. |
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| Carlson Hospitality worldwide owns and operates over 900 hotels in some 70 countries under brands like Radisson, Country Inns & Suites and Park Plaza. |
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