TGI Friday's to serve `free-range' beef only - Brief Article

Eurofood, August 2, 2001

US restaurant chain TGI Friday's has given in to consumer demand, announcing from now on it will only serve free-range beef.

TGI Friday's, with over 700 stores in the US, and many more located around the globe, said all its beef burgers would now come from a supplier that does not use antibiotics or growth hormones in the raising of its cattle. The US concern also said when available, it would serve `natural' steaks.

John Gilbert, a marketing executive at Carlston Restaurants (parents of TGI Friday's) said, "The introduction of this innovative product is a direct response to our guests' desire for great-tasting food made with the finest ingredients."

TGI Friday's has said it will source its beef from Meyer Natural Angus. There has been growing concern in the US, with a recent Mintel survey suggesting 60% of US citizens are concerned about BSE. The recent foot-and-mouth disease in the UK has also raised concerns in the US.

COMPETITORS

Although situated in a different sector to TGI Friday's, the burger giants McDonald's and Burger King, have recently committed to buying beef from suppliers adhering to strict animal welfare rules.

However the switch by TGI Friday's to `natural' beef, could trigger a switch among other burger-servers, in both the casual dining and fastfood sectors.