American Ricky Richardson has been appointed interim UK managing director of TGI Friday’s.

The move comes after the sale of the 45-strong UK chain by Whitbread to Carlson Restaurants Worldwide and ABN AMRO Capital – the Dutch bank’s private equity arm- this January for £74.1m.

Richardson joined Carlson, which is the parent company of TGI Friday’s, in 1995 and was most recently vice-president of international operations.

Based in the company’s new offices in Luton, Bedfordshire, Richardson is overseeing the recruitment of a UK managing director and operation director, which will report to the board of directors, TGI Friday's, which Richardson is a member of.

Richardson said: “We’re very confident about TGI’s future in the UK based on our success with the brand in the USA. It’s a vibrant market here and there’s plenty of opportunity to develop the business.”

Carlson has almost 1,000 restaurants globally in 58 countries, with around 600 sites in the USA.

The first UK TGI Friday’s opened in Birmingham in 1985.

Whitbread sells TGI Friday’s to joint venture >>

Charlotte Maxwell, bartender, TGI Friday's, Covent Garden, London >>

London takes top spots in TGI UK Bartender of the Year competition >>

TGI Friday's website >>

By Chris Druce

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