TGI Fridays might not be what it once was, but the people behind the brand say it’s far from done.
Once a staple of casual dining in the U.S., TGI Fridays has seen its restaurant count drop from nearly 600 at its peak to just 85 locations today. That dramatic downsizing followed a bankruptcy filing in late 2024, which forced the company to shutter dozens of stores across the country.
But according to returning CEO Ray Blanchette, this isn’t a collapse, it’s a reset.
Blanchette, who previously led the brand from 2018 to 2023, is back at the helm with a fresh strategy. His new company, Sugarloaf TGIF Management, has taken over ownership of eight franchise locations and is focused on rebuilding the chain’s image, menu, and footprint with a leaner, more agile structure.
Speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun, Blanchette said the goal isn’t just to survive, it’s to grow, especially in locations that still show strong performance. That includes urban and hotel-based restaurants, as well as airport spots like Dallas Fort Worth, which currently has five thriving TGI Fridays, one of which ranks as the top bar-and-grill in the country’s airport scene.
Internationally, TGI Fridays is still going strong, with 391 restaurants across 41 countries, including high-growth markets like Peru, Taiwan, and Greece. Blanchette says the new global strategy is being shaped by a management committee of domestic and international franchisees, aiming to make the brand more responsive to changing dining trends.
Back home, the company is betting big on one thing: its food.
Earlier this month, TGI Fridays scrapped 85% of its old menu and launched a revamped lineup full of bold flavors and modern twists on classics. The relaunch features standout items like the Big Queso Energy Burger, Loaded Tots with TGI Sauce, and revamped Mozzarella Sticks in three flavors, including the brand-exclusive Whiskey Glaze.
On the drink side, customers can now order seven new signature cocktails like the eL.I.T.e. (a Long Island-lemonade hybrid) and the Strawberry Henny, blending fresh fruit with high-end liquor in large pours meant to celebrate the chain’s roots as the original cocktail bar.
Blanchette says the refresh isn’t just cosmetic, it’s meant to reconnect the brand with what made it special in the first place: fun, indulgent food, high-energy drinks, and a place where people genuinely want to hang out.
While 85 locations may not sound like much, the company is positioning itself for measured, sustainable growth, focusing on quality over quantity. And with a tighter menu, clearer leadership, and signs of life in its best-performing stores, TGI Fridays could quietly be staging one of the most surprising comebacks in American dining.
