About Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (CRW) has a lot of Friday's for which to be thankful. A leader in full-service restaurants, the company operates and franchises more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's casual dining locations across the US and in about 60 other countries. The restaurant chain offers a menu featuring beef, chicken, and seafood entrees along with a – more... selection of popular appetizers. About 300 T.G.I. Friday's units are company-owned while the rest are franchised. The company also operates Pick Up Stix, an Asian-themed fast-casual chain with more than 90 locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. CRW is a subsidiary of travel and leisure conglomerate Carlson Companies.
Like most other casual dining chains, T.G.I. Friday's has developed a distinctive look and feel in order to distinguish itself in the crowded field of competitors. The chain is designed to typify the American bar and grill and makes an appeal to the 9-to-5 workday crowd with the tag line, "In here, it's always Friday." A pioneer in the casual dining segment, the first T.G.I. Friday's opened in New York City in 1965. The chain helped popularize such menu items as the Long Island Iced Tea and potato skins.
CRW has built the Friday's chain mostly through franchising, which allows the company to have restaurants in so many different markets without the expense of owning and operating all of them. Local operators, including big franchisee groups such as The Bistro Group and The Briad Group, pay the company royalties for the right to use the Friday's name and other intellectual property. Typically, franchisees also agree to uphold standards for food and service quality.
The recession cut into the casual dining segment during recent years as consumers reined in spending on luxury items including dining and leisure. T.G.I. Friday's responded with menu price cuts and increased marketing efforts to try and attract new customers. The chain also introduced new menu items, including several new varieties of hamburgers and other sandwiches.
Nick Shepherd was tapped as CEO early in 2009 to replace Richard Snead who retired. Shepherd previously served as CEO at Sagittarius Brands (later Del Taco Holdings). Snead had been head of Carlson's dining unit since 2002. – less
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Employer Reviews
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Productive, challenging, fun place to work
International Manager and Corporate Consultant (Former Employee), Pittsburgh, PA – April 23, 2013
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Senior Travel Counselor (Former Employee), St. Louis, MO – April 17, 2013
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Stuffy, judgemental workplace atmosphere.
Senior Corporate Travel Consultant (Former Employee), Coppell, TX – February 21, 2013
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
The position was a temporary assignement and management was aware of it.
Ticketing Auditor (Former Employee), Plainsboro, NJ – February 8, 2013
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
Great place to work
Travel Consultant (Former Employee), Englewood, CO – February 7, 2013
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Photos
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Jobs
Working at Carlson Wagonlit Travel
What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Carlson Wagonlit Travel?
What do you like best about working at Carlson Wagonlit ...
Do you work at Carlson Wagonlit Travel? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?
Any advice for someone trying to get in?
It's always hard to know what to expect when going in for that interview -- and preparation can make all the difference. What is the interview process like at Carlson Wago...
What do you think - will Carlson Wagonlit Travel grow fast? Are they expanding their staff? How does Carlson Wagonlit Travel stack up against the competition?
Every business has its own style. What is the office environment and culture like at Carlson Wagonlit Travel?
Are people dressed in business casual, jeans and t-shirts, o...
