T.G.I. Friday's Introduces Frozen Skillet Meals (Press Release)

Complete and convenient dinners bring the bold, crave-able Friday's flavors directly to the dinner table.

-- Chain Leader, 9/8/2008 12:23:00 PM

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The same delicious and bold flavors found at T.G.I. Friday's(r) restaurants can now be made and enjoyed right in the comfort of home, thanks to new T.G.I. Friday's(tm) Complete Skillet Meals.

"T.G.I. Friday's restaurants have always been fanatical about bringing great tasting food to our guests," said Andrew Jordan, senior vice president of marketing for T.G.I. Friday's USA. "T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals bring Friday's flavors to your own dinner table."

With these new convenient, T.G.I. Friday's-inspired frozen meals, it's easier than ever to cook a flavorful, quality meal at home without the hassle of complicated recipes or long prep time. T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals feature a variety of bold tastes and seasonings inspired by Friday's signature flavors, such as Firecracker Sesame Chicken and Cajun-style Alfredo Chicken and Shrimp. With only three quick steps for cooking in the skillet, a flavorful, fun meal can be on the table in less than 15 minutes.

"T.G.I. Friday's Skillet Meals offer the convenience of a frozen entree with the full flavor and robust taste of a Friday's meal," said Erica Gilbertson, associate brand manager for Heinz. "The main ingredients are individually packaged, so they stay fresh and can be cooked to perfection, allowing the chicken to brown, the veggies to stay firm, and the pasta to be done al dente. Plus, with unique toppers, such as sesame seeds and bacon bits, you can add as much pizzazz as you like for that one-of-a-kind T.G.I. Friday's meal experience."

T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals offerings include five varieties, serving two people, which come in an array of standout flavors:

* Sizzling Steak Fajitas - Seared strips of juicy steak with fire-roasted onions, and green and red bell peppers. Six flour tortillas also are included.

* Sizzling Chicken Fajitas - Seared strips of juicy white meat chicken with fire-roasted onions, and green and red bell peppers. Six flour tortillas also are included.

* Creamy Chicken Pasta Carbonara - Sautéed chicken, mushrooms, peas, red bell peppers and penne pasta, all tossed in a cream sauce. The meal also comes with bacon bits to sprinkle on and enjoy.

* Firecracker Sesame Chicken - Breaded chicken, crisp carrots, snappy peas, lo-mein noodles and a sweet sauce with a flavorful kick. The meal also comes with sesame seeds to sprinkle on and enjoy.

* Cajun-Style Alfredo Chicken & Shrimp - Blackened chicken and shrimp with red bell peppers, green onions, spiral Ciufetti pasta and a Cajun-style Alfredo sauce. The meal also comes with a Cajun-style seasoning blend that you can sprinkle on and enjoy.

"These new complete skillet meals are a perfect shortcut for creating complete dinners with the same type of robust taste and flavor combinations people have come to know and love from T.G.I. Friday's," said Gilbertson. "They are a flavorful and convenient alternative, and a great way to keep dinner exciting and fun, especially on those busy days when you just don't have enough time to enjoy the full restaurant experience."

T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals are available now at most major grocery and chain retailers nationwide in the frozen food section and will range from $6.99 - $7.99. For more information about T.G.I. Friday's Complete Skillet Meals, visit www.heinz.com.

About Heinz

H. J. Heinz Company (NYSE: HNZ), offering "Good Food Every Day" is one of the world's leading marketers and producers of healthy and convenient foods specializing in ketchup, sauces, meals, soups, snacks and infant nutrition. Heinz provides superior quality, taste and nutrition for all eating occasions whether in the home, restaurants, the office or "on-the-go." Heinz is a global family of leading branded products, including Heinz(r) ketchup, sauces, soups, beans, pasta and infant foods (representing over one third of Heinz's total sales), Ore-Ida(r) potato products, Weight Watchers(r) Smart Ones(r) frozen entrees, Boston Market(r) meals, T.G.I. Friday's(r) frozen snacks, and Plasmon(r) infant nutrition. Heinz is famous for its iconic brands on five continents, showcased by Heinz(r) ketchup, The World's Favorite Ketchup(r). Information on Heinz is available at www.heinz.com.