DALLAS, Oct. 9 / Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., which owns and operates twelve restaurant concepts, including T.G.I. Friday's, will donate 50 percent of all proceeds from Oct. 11 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund as part of "Dine Out For America," a partnership of U.S. restaurant companies to raise funds for victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

"Everyone at Carlson Restaurants was deeply saddened by the Sept. 11 events at the Pentagon and World Trade Center. We are pleased to do our part in aiding disaster relief efforts by participating in 'Dine Out For America'," said Wallace B. Doolin, president and chief executive officer of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. "This program has the potential to raise a significant amount of money and make a major difference in the lives of thousands. I encourage all Americans to dine at one of the participating restaurants on Thursday, Oct. 11."

Carlson Restaurant brands that are participating in "Dine Out For America" include all company-owned T.G.I. Friday's, Friday's American Bar®, Friday's Front Row® Sports Grill, Italianni's® and Pick Up Stix® restaurants, as well as the restaurants in the emerging brands division - Samba Room(SM), Bossa(SM), Taqueria Canonita®, Star Canyon®, FISHBOWL®, Mignon(SM) and Timpano(SM) Italian Chophouse.

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide joins other top restaurant companies in "Dine Out For America" including Chili's Bar & Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Palomino, Claim Jumper, Lone Star Steakhouse, Pizzeria Uno and Friendly's Ice Cream.

For additional information or a complete list of participating restaurants, call "Dine Out For America" at 206/777-6677, ext. 236 or visit .

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 July 13, 2001 Carlson Restaurants operate, franchise and license 746 restaurants in 52 countries. Carlson Restaurants Worldwide is included in the Carlson Hospitality Worldwide division of Carlson Companies, Inc.

SOURCE: Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc.