DALLAS, TX - In an announcement made earlier today, Juanita Nanez has been promoted to vice president of diversity for Dallas-based Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. (CRW), parent company of T.G.I. Friday's(R) and Pick Up Stix(R) restaurants. The announcement was made by Carlson Restaurants Worldwide President Richard Snead, and Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Communications Anne Varano.

"Juanita has been instrumental in advancing the diversity efforts at our Company and increasing the overall awareness of diversity-based programs within the industry," said Snead. "Her passion for Carlson Restaurants and her dedication to promoting diversity within our Company has served as a model for the entire organization."

"Operating in 56 countries, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide represents almost every religion and nearly every language spoken in the world," added Varano. "The different thoughts, backgrounds and ideas of our diverse workforce is what makes our organization so successful. Juanita is the ideal leader to continue our efforts in providing a culture of inclusion and a Great Place, for Great People, to do Great Work."

Nanez, who most recently held the position of executive director of corporate human resources, will lead the diversity initiatives for CRW, as well as continue to oversee employee relations for the Company and human resources for the Dallas corporate office.

During her career with CRW, Nanez has made numerous contributions, including implementation of the industry's first national toll-free line for employees to call and discuss issues, concerns, ideas and suggestions. She also took a leadership role in the development of the CRW Diversity Council, which identifies industry barriers to diversity, makes recommendations for solutions and assists in setting the Company's diversity strategy.

"Carlson Restaurants is committed to being the best at everything we do, including being an industry leader in diversity," said Varano. CRW was a founding board member of the MultiCultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), the diversity champion of the industry, in which Nanez is a board member. Nanez is also an MFHA liaison to the National Society for Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), a national organization of minority students in hospitality colleges.

Nanez attended Dallas Baptist University, received her Professional in Human Resources certification in 1996, a certificate for Employment Law from the Institute for Applied Management and Law, and is certified to teach various national professional development programs. Nanez is on the Business Advisory Board for Grambling State University and has also been profiled as an industry leader in "Hospitality Services: Food and Lodging."

Note to the editor: Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., the parent company of TGI Friday's Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies, Inc., a world leader in the hospitality, travel and marketing industries. As of January 7, 2003 Carlson Restaurants operates, franchises and licenses 797 restaurants in 56 countries, including three divisions -- Domestic Friday's Brands (T.G.I. Friday's(R), Friday's Front Row(R) Sports Grill and Friday's American Bar(R)); International (T.G.I. Friday's(R), Friday's American Bar(R) and Front Row(R) Sports Grill); and the newest division of Carlson Restaurants, Pick Up Stix(R). Carlson Restaurants Worldwide is included in the Carlson Hospitality Worldwide division of Carlson Companies, Inc. For more information on the Friday's brands, visit
http://www.Fridays.com .

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, Inc.

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