# Theatrical Fondue Upgrades TGI Fridays' Fondue-It Experience Upgrades Select Menu Favorites By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-02-17 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tgi-fridays-fondue-it References: [finance.yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tgi-fridays-pours-cheese-turns-140000497.html) & [tgifridays](http://www.tgifridays.com)  With the [TGI Fridays'](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/restaurantinspired-singleserve-meals) Fondue-It lineup, there's a new way for guests to savor favorite menu items like Loaded Potato Skins or the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. This tableside experience, available as a $3 upgrade, centers on five menu items that arrive on a hot cast-iron skillet with a [warm cheese pour](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheese-bake-fondues), like the [Truffle Mushroom Burger](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/black-truffle-menu) with Alfredo Fondue or the Big Queso Energy Burger with Poblano Queso Fondue. "Fondue-It represents everything Fridays stands for, namely unique presentation and creating moments that bring people together," said Ray Blanchette, Chief Executive Officer at TGI Fridays. "We're crafting experiences that transform a meal into a moment. It's effortless for our guests, theatrical for our dining rooms, and designed to create the kind of memories that keep people coming back to celebrate with us." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 32% | Activity: 32% | Freshness: 66% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Tableside Theatrical Dining:** A renewed focus on dramatic, tableside presentations that turn ordinary dishes into shareable moments creates scope for immersive service formats and specialized plating systems. - **Modular Menu Upgrades:** Add-on experiences offered at low price points that transform core menu items into premium variants reveal opportunities for scalable customization and dynamic pricing models. - **Experience-driven Value Additions:** Consumers valuing memorable social interactions over low-cost options open pathways for bundling sensory, communal elements with food to drive repeat visits. ### Where This Applies - **Casual Dining Restaurants:** Operators in this space can differentiate through curated in-restaurant theatrics and limited-time experiential upgrades that shift guest perceptions of value. - **Foodservice Equipment Manufacturers:** Demand for compact, safe, and visually appealing tableside heating and pour systems could spur development of modular cookware and integrated service tools. - **Hospitality Event Design:** Event designers and experiential teams may find new revenue streams by creating themed service rituals and sensory staging tailored to social dining environments. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Holiday Hotel Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-westin-harbour-castle.md) - [Festive Toronto Stays](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/festive-toronto-stays.md) - [Four-Course Fondue Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valentines-day-at-melting-pot.md) - [Dubai Chocolate Fondues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-chocolate-fondue.md) - [24k Chocolate Fondues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/24k-chocolate-fondue.md) - [Seasonal Grocer Cheese Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tesco-finest-cheese-products.md) - [Winter-Themed Hotel Offerings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt-harriets.md) - [Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Fondues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pumpkin-pie-chocolate-fondue.md) - [Extended Reach Fondue Forks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fonduuuuuuefork.md)