T.G.I. Friday’s is a well-known name on a national level as well as a global level. However, just like any other striving business T.G.I. Friday’s faces challenges every day. Certain factors from their general and specific environment pose threats to the company. There are many ethical issues surrounding the business that contribute to social responsibility. However, T.G.I. Friday’s does not let these factors stop them from continuing to grow and thrive in an ever-changing economy.

Just like any other business, T.G.I. Friday’s is affected by its general and specific environment. The general environment of a business is the economic, technological, sociocultural, and political trends that indirectly affect all organizations. T.G.I. Friday’s economic trends are extreme. Their business runs in seasons, as seen in any other restaurant. The business struggles and income is low during the fall months, as trends are seen that customers eat at restaurants less frequently during these months. Technology is an extremely important factor in how T.G.I. Friday’s runs. From the smallest use of technology when rewards customers sign up online, to the greater use of technology when servers use computers to ring in orders, to the most important use of technology when the accountant uses computers to do the business’s accounting, technology absolutely runs the organization. When it comes to the sociocultural component, T.G.I. Friday’s does not target one demographic. There is a wide variety of customers, employees, and managers which can be found within the organization’s walls. The political trends that affect T.G.I. Friday’s are ever-changing. Many different laws regulate the way the business is run, such as advertising laws, serve safe alcohol awareness laws, food safety regulations, and even employee policies.

The specific environment of a business is composed of factors such as customers, competitors, suppliers, industry regulations, and advocacy groups. Some would say that the customers run the business. Fact is, without customers a business would not survive because it would not make money. Competitors threaten T.G.I. Friday’s every day when they develop new menu items that are similar to their menu items, and sometimes even at a cheaper price. Suppliers can also run a business, because if a company has no supplies, they cannot open for business. There is industry regulation that is in place to ensure that every T.G.I. Friday’s is the same atmosphere and the customer gets the same experience no matter which location they go to. Advocacy groups threaten the business because they are constantly trying to influence the way the business is run as well as change their practices. These are just a few of the threats T.G.I. Friday’s faces daily, however it is not uncommon for any business to face these threats and many more.

T.G.I. Friday’s has a social responsibility to increase its profits in an ethical way. However, behind closed doors there lie certain unethical practices that could hinder the business from flourishing. As seen in the movie Waiting, many restaurant employees cut corners to make their jobs easier. One might call these types of employees “half-cheeked” workers. Nevertheless, T.G.I. Friday’s has a social responsibility of making sure their customers receive the most superior experience every time they enter the restaurant. Not only is it morally corrupt to allow these shortcuts to take place, it is also illegal and disgusting. T.G.I. Friday’s strives for a sanitary, healthy environment for every customer, every time.

T.G.I. Friday’s is a staple not only in the American diet, but also in international diets. Although their main focus is to prevail in the United States of America, global forces affect how the company is managed, and where new restaurants are developed. Sixteen countries include a T.G.I. Friday’s restaurant, and the business continues to grow. Needless to say, T.G.I. Friday’s manages extremely well in the ever-increasing globalization of the economy.

T.G.I. Friday’s brand has become bigger than the founders ever imagined in 1965 when the first restaurant opened. The business has blown the competition away, not letting factors like the general and specific environment, ethical issues, or globalization become a downfall to the company. Through a combination of franchise and corporate locations, T.G.I. Friday’s has become one of the largest chain restaurants in the world. Not only is their food served within the restaurants, but recently their food has been produced and packaged to be sold in grocery store freezers. Customers and employees, alike, agree that T.G.I. Friday’s is an atmosphere that is fun and inviting.

Source by Gemma S Owen