accommodation services as well as food services to those who are away from home. HISTORY Carlson Group of hotels was founded by Curtis L. Carlson in 1938. He started by taking a $55 loan and founded the Gold Bond Stamp. In 1960, Carlson managed to acquire 50% interest in the Radisson Downtown Hotel which was situated in Minneapolis. Those were the first steps of the Carlson group in the hospitality market. In 1975, Carlson went on to acquire TGI Fridays Inc. in 12 other US states, this ignited their entry