TGI Fridays welcomes new team members

DALLAS — TGI Fridays has named Ray Risley to United States president and chief operating officer and Nik Rupp to president of international markets and chief financial officer. The pair were hired as part of the company’s growth plan to revitalize the brand globally, the company said. With the growth plan, the company is aiming to strengthen and innovate its menu offerings.

Mr. Risley will oversee the supervision and management of the operational facets and performance standards of all TGI Fridays establishments within the United States, including both company-owned and franchised entities, according to the company. Before his time with TGI Fridays, Mr. Risley was most recently chief executive officer for Via 313 Pizzeria and previously president and COO of Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar for Front Burner Society. He also has served as partner for Stone House Restaurant and president for Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc., for Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse.

In his role as CFO and president of international, Mr. Rupp will be in charge of financial strategy of TGI Fridays where he will help with accounting, finance and capital structure and focus on growth and managing relationships with international franchisees. Mr. Rupp joins the company from Papa Murphy’s International where he was COO and CFO. Along with Papa Murphy’s International, Mr. Rupp held leadership positions at Specialized Bicycle Components, Nike, and Converse.

TGI Fridays currently operates and franchises approximately 700 restaurants across 51 countries, according to the company.