NVCC Honors T.G.I. Friday's as Large Business of 2011

The Neponset Valley Chamber of Commerce held their 118th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on January 19, at Showcase Live-Patriot Place to honor 2011’s outstanding members and retiring Board Members.

One of those outstanding members was the NVCC’s Large Business of the Year, T.G.I. Fridays – Norwood, presented by Anthony Caruso of the Bank of Canton and outgoing NVCC Chairman.

For over 40 years, the Dallas-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent company of T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants, has been delivering huge fun. Today, CRW operates, franchises, and licenses more than 900 restaurants in 55 countries.

In 1965, the first T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant opened in New York City at the corner of First Avenue and 63rd Street quickly becoming the meeting place for single adults, generating $1 million in revenues its first year.  In 1970, the second location opened in Memphis, Tennessee and the rest was history.

As a multinational corporation, Carlson Restaurants Inc. and TGI Friday’s is committed to giving back to the communities in which they do business, and as such they support organizations that focus on diversity, education, hunger and youth. As a result, Carlson Restaurants has chosen to actively partner with the following organizations through, sponsorship, fundraising and/or volunteerism: Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, America’s Second Harvest, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Reach Out and Read.

Locally, they have contributed $15,000 a year to support the magnificent fireworks display that occurs the night before Norwood Day.  According to Norwood Recreation director, Jerry Miller, “They are definitely a company that reinvests in the community, not only I, but the entire town, thanks them for sponsoring this Norwood Day tradition.”

“They also support numerous non-profit organizations and schools with fund raisers and gift card donations.  Additionally, they are an active member of the NVCC recently hosted and sponsored our first ever Afternoon Networking,” said Anthony Caruso, the Bank of Canton and outgoing NVCC Chairman of the Board.