THE AMERICAN RESTAURANT CHAIN TGI Friday's is coming to Barbados in July.

And if Barbadians have their way, the multinational restaurant franchise Subway will soon be here as well.

TGI Friday's regional spokesman, Dane Darbasie, said in an interview with Starcom Network that the branch would operate in the area of The Pavilion, Hastings, at first employing 65 people, all Barbadian.

Just one outlet was planned but based on its performance, a decision would be taken on whether to expand, he said.

"We are very excited about this opening," he declared, adding: "We expect that this restaurant will be very successful."

The restaurant "will bring a new form of casual dining to the island of Barbados".

TGI Friday's, which takes its name from the expression "Thank God/Goodness It's Friday", has outlets in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Puerto Rico. There are more than 500 TGI Friday's restaurants across the world.

TGI Friday's has a large menu, including hamburgers, sandwiches, soup, seafood, chicken, fish, steaks and salads, with an offering of liquor.

Meantime, most Barbadians who responded to a recent NATION Internet poll said Subway, which has more than 27 200 franchised units in 86 countries and is the fastest growing franchise in the world, should be allowed to set up an operation here.

Some 5 756 people, or 71.46 per cent of the respondents, supported the application, while 2 299 or 28.54 per cent rejected it.

Not competing

Arguments in favour of Subway included the claims that its offerings, mainly sandwiches and salads, were not competing with what was being sold by local fast food businesses, that Barbados needed a healthy alternative to fast foods, and that competition was good for the market.

Arguments against included statements that locals should be encouraged to set up their own outlets, that Barbados has enough fast food outlets, and that Subway would ship its profits abroad. (TY)