An American bar and grill ‘icon’ that started in Manhattan in the 1960s is coming to the Sunshine Coast, with the promise of slow-cooked ribs, hand-crafted burgers and signature cocktails.
TGI Fridays will open in Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza on Tuesday (May 10) on the centre’s Riverwalk precinct and deliver a dining experience infused with American-style hospitality.
Guests will be able to choose whether to sit outside on the expansive deck and soak up the sunshine, slide into a comfy leather booth indoors, or pull up a stool at the central island bar to enjoy famous cocktails such as Long Island Ice Tea which was created by TGI Fridays.
Capitalising on its waterside location, TGI Fridays Sunshine Plaza will offer an alfresco-style setting spread across 300sqm, with the capacity to seat more than 200 diners.
Signature Hospitality Group CEO James Sinclair said TGI Fridays Sunshine Plaza was its second restaurant in Queensland after Robina on the Gold Coast.
“We are delighted to launch our first Sunshine Coast venue — TGI Fridays Sunshine Plaza — this month and bring our authentic, American-style hospitality to the region, which is regarded as one of Australia’s most desirable tourism destinations,” he said.
“Following a major $440 million redevelopment that has cemented Sunshine Plaza as a premium shopping, dining and entertainment destination, as well as the first super-regional centre north of Brisbane, we are confident this location will make for the perfect base for our Sunshine Coast foray.”
Designed with families in mind, the restaurant will deliver a relaxed, all-day dining experience, featuring a sleek fit out with timber accents and industrial style lighting installations, and extensive menu that focuses on high-quality, locally-sourced produce.
‘Friday’ foodie favourites range from the signature slow-cooked ribs with whisky glaze and New-York Striploin, to the finger-licking wings in a range of tempting flavours, loaded potato skins, hand-crafted burgers served with piles of shoe-string fries, as well as healthier options like the Green Goddess Bowl.
There’s also a dedicated kids menu with two serving sizes catering to kids of all ages.
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The brand has evolved significantly since its origins in Manhattan, New York City in 1965, transforming from a dedicated singles-bar concept to a global brand that now operates more than 900 restaurants across 60 countries, including 18 in Australia.
And while the brand has been modernised during it six-decade history, there are a few hallmarks that remain unchanged.
Recognised as the pioneer of ‘Happy Hour’, TGI Fridays Sunshine Plaza will offer Happy Hour every day from 4pm – 6pm, and with a comprehensive cocktail list.
Classics include the Ultimate Electric Lemonade, Passionfruit Margarita, Big-Appletini and Cosmopolitan.
TGI Fridays will unveil its new restaurant with opening-week giveaways and incentives on offer.
Stay tuned for more details on its Facebook page @TGIFridaysSunshinePlaza.
