TGI Friday's, and Americana Group, a licensed franchisee of TGI Friday's announced a renewal of the development agreement to build upon the success of the TGI Friday's brand in the Middle East.

The development agreement will result in an additional 30 T. G. I. Friday's restaurants over the next five years in the Middle East, making Friday's® one of the leaders in American casual dining in this region.

"A core component of T.G.I. Friday's overall growth strategy is identifying the right partners who can help us reach our goals," said Ian Saunders, president and chief operating officer, T.G.I. Friday's International. "We have established a tremendous relationship with Americana, and this new development agreement emphasizes the strength of our partnership, a partnership that will add 30 new Friday's restaurants to this thriving region."

Americana, whose territory encompasses Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the UAE, currently owns and operates 36 T.G.I. Friday's restaurants.