Legendary restaurant chain announces huge UK comeback after being saved from administration with 35 closures
OPEN WIDE Legendary restaurant chain announces huge UK comeback after being saved from administration with 35 closures
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A LEGENDARY restaurant chain has announced a huge UK comeback after being saved from administration.
With a new menu and a plan to revitalise restaurants, the chain secured a rescue deal last year but made a string of closures.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
TGI Fridays has announced a "comeback" with a new menu after the UK chain was rescued
Credit: Alamy
3
It comes after over 35 restaurants were forced to close last year
Credit: Alamy
TGI Fridays, the US-themed eatery and cocktail bar, said it had undergone a significant transformation since being bought out of administration in October.
Bosses are describing the comeback campaign as a "full brand reset".
This will see half of its dishes updated and 70% of the grill items reworked, promising new flavours and more customisation.
There are also plans to revive the brand's "Americana" influence and theatre theme.
Some locations have already reintroduced photo booths and candyfloss machines.
TGI Fridays said it was launching a comeback offer to mark the relaunch and to encourage more diners to return.
Diners who order from the menu across Independence Weekend - the US holiday celebrated between July 4-6 - will receive a voucher for a free return meal.
This will be valid on weekdays for the rest of the month.
The restaurant first opened in New York in 1965 with a party-led theme and continues to operate a string of restaurants across the US.
Private equity firm Breal Capital and Calveton UK acquired 51 restaurants after the previous UK operator fell into administration.
But while the deal secured the future of the chain, it led to 35 restaurant closures with around 1,000 staff made redundant.
Without a buyer the brand could have disappeared for good from UK high streets, where it's been a familiar sight since 1986.
Since its debut in Birmingham that year, TGI Fridays quickly expanded nationwide, winning over diners with its casual American bistro-style experience.
TGI Fridays now say it operates 49 restaurants and has about 2,500 members of staff.
Inside England Lionesses' luxury Euro 2025 hotel with butler service, stunning pool and 2 Michelin star restaurant
Restructuring efforts since the takeover have resulted in a leaner and more streamlined business, it said on Friday.
It also highlighted an improvement in sales since the start of 2025.
Prior to the takeover, TGI faced falling sales in the UK against a backdrop of wider struggles for the casual dining sector and weaker consumer spending.
Julie McEwan, chief executive of TGI Fridays UK, said: "This is an exciting moment for TGI Fridays - a full brand reset that reinforces everything people have always loved about us.
"TGI Fridays has a rich heritage of bold flavour, high-energy hospitality and unforgettable celebrations - and we've gone back to those roots to bring that magic into a new era.
"Over the past eight months, we've restructured the business, invested in our incredible team, and rebuilt our offer around quality, value and experience."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help!
Scroll down to read five ways to save on baby showers BOSSING IT My colleague has taken a last minute holiday and left me to present a major project alone… Help! APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives her expert career advice to a reader who has been left to present a stressful project alone after her colleague took a last minute holiday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Karren Brady gives you career advice Q: My colleague and I have been working on a stressful project for the past six months and it's finally reaching the crunch point – but she's chosen to take a last-minute holiday over the two weeks we need to deliver the project and present it internally, then put it in front of the client. I understand the whole process of getting the project to this point has been difficult and meant some long hours, but I feel abandoned and like I now have to carry it all on my own, which is causing me huge anxiety and stress. What should I do? Amelia, via email A: First, speak to your manager about the situation as soon as possible. Explain clearly that with your colleague away during such a critical phase, you're concerned about the impact on delivery of the project and don't want the workload and pressure to compromise the final result. Ask whether some tasks can be reassigned or if extra support is available. Set firm boundaries – don't take on everything alone, especially at the cost of your physical and mental health. Keep a written record of your agreed responsibilities and decisions during this time to protect yourself and manage expectations. When your colleague returns, have a respectful but honest conversation about how this affected you, so it's less likely to happen again. Apprentice star Karren Brady terrified after burglar launched FOUR raids on £6m home in 16 hours taking designer gear Most importantly, prioritise your mental health and wellbeing – take breaks, ask for help when you need it and be clear about what you can and can't do. As tough as the current situation is, moments like these can highlight your resilience and capabilities, and will give you a chance to show your manager how well you handle pressure and take the lead when it counts. Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@
Scottish Sun
12 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Aldi is selling an essential kitchen gadget that's £70 cheaper than the John Lewis version – but you'll need to be quick
TEA-TOTALLY GOOD Aldi is selling an essential kitchen gadget that's £70 cheaper than the John Lewis version – but you'll need to be quick Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TEA-loving Brits can now get their hands on a must-have kitchen gadget that promises to take the stress out of brewing – and it's a bargain. Aldi has launched a brand new Smart Kettle for just £29.99, making it £70 cheaper than a similar model sold by John Lewis. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The Aldi Smart Kettle lands in stores from July 13 5 Sage stainless steel smart kettle available at John Lewis 5 It can be controlled via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, letting you boil the kettle straight from your phone The Aldi Smart Kettle lands in stores from July 13. With a sleek stainless-steel finish, the kettle not only looks the part, but it's packed with clever features. It can be controlled via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, letting you boil the kettle straight from your phone. There's also a temperature display and an easy-touch screen so you can set the heat anywhere between 40°C and 100°C, depending on your drink of choice. It even comes with a keep warm function, meaning no more running back to re-boil the kettle – something 48 per cent of Brits admit to doing after getting distracted. That's a lot of wasted water, energy and time. The launch ties in with new Aldi research showing that tea remains the UK's top drink, with the average Brit drinking four cups a day. That's 127 million cups brewed daily across the country. Despite our national love for a brew, nearly a quarter of people (22%) are still making it wrong – by pouring the milk in first. According to the study, 78 per cent of people agree water should go in first, with the tea bag left to steep for two minutes for that perfect 'builders' brew' colour – toffee brown. ALDI BARGAIN BUYS English Breakfast tea remains the firm favourite, with 67 per cent choosing it over other blends. And when it comes to milk, most agree that a splash of semi-skimmed is best to bring the temperature down to the ideal 57°C. Etiquette expert Jo Bryant explains: "It's clear that tea remains a very important part of our lives, with the average Brit consuming a staggering 1,460 cups a year. "It is good manners when making someone else a cup of tea to check how they like it. "Try to take the time to make perfect brews for friends, colleagues and family, and make sure you remember just how they like it for next time.' The Aldi kettle might also help avoid the classic office dilemma – badly made brews. The research revealed that colleagues are the worst at making tea (45 per cent), while partners (57 per cent) and mums (28 per cent) tend to get it just right. The data also shows just how picky we are. Over three-quarters (78 per cent) of tea drinkers give specific instructions when someone offers to make a cuppa, including strength, milk, sugar (or no sugar at all), and even which mug to use – with 40 per cent claiming to have a favourite mug that makes their tea taste better. Compared to John Lewis's Sage Smart Kettle, which retails at £99.95, Aldi's version offers comparable smart features at a fraction of the price. While Sage is known for its premium kitchen appliances, Aldi's kettle delivers similar functionality – including app control and temperature settings – making it a standout choice for shoppers after modern convenience without the designer price tag. How to compare prices to get the best deal JUST because something is on offer, or is part of a sale, it doesn't mean it's always a good deal. There are plenty of comparison websites out there that'll check prices for you - so don't be left paying more than you have to. Most of them work by comparing the prices across hundreds of retailers. Here are some that we recommend: Google Shopping is a tool that lets users search for and compare prices for products across the web. Simply type in keywords, or a product number, to bring up search results. Price Spy logs the history of how much something costs from over 3,000 different retailers, including Argos, Amazon, eBay and the supermarkets. Once you select an individual product you can quickly compare which stores have the best price and which have it in stock. Idealo is another website that lets you compare prices between retailers. All shoppers need to do is search for the item they need and the website will rank them from the cheapest to the most expensive one. CamelCamelCamel only works on goods being sold on Amazon. To use it, type in the URL of the product you want to check the price of. 5 The launch ties in with new Aldi research showing that tea remains the UK's top drink, with the average Brit drinking four cups a day 5 English Breakfast tea remains the firm favourite, with 67 per cent choosing it over other blends
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
All the Middle of Lidl offers on shelves this weekend including Ninja airfryer dupe and Karcher pressure washer
Scroll to see the £3.49 items to upgrade your outdoors BARGAIN HUNT All the Middle of Lidl offers on shelves this weekend including Ninja airfryer dupe and Karcher pressure washer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIDL shoppers have the opportunity to snap up cut-price household essentials as fresh 'middle aisle' bargains land in stores this weekend. The discount supermarket is offering a range of items to help shoppers get outdoor areas ship-shape for summer including gadgets from brand Karcher. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The latest Lidl middle aisle items will help spruce up your outdoor space Credit: Alamy The latest range of time-limited items landing this weekend start from as little as £3.49 meaning shoppers of all budgets can spruce up their outdoors. At the same time, Lidl is stocking up kitchen gadgets to help ease pressures of cooking for family or friends. The latest buys will be hitting the shelves on Sunday. The budget supermarket's middle aisle will be brimming with new toy bargains in just days. Here's what's coming to stores... As always, remember to compare prices in case you're able to find cheaper deals elsewhere. Karcher pressure washer - £89.99 8 The pressure washer will give sparkling patios Credit: Lidl If you need to shift grime and built up dirt on patios, the Karcher pressure washer can make the job a doddle. You can also use it to clean up garden furniture, so it's perfect if your outdoor area is in need of a bit of a glow-up. The gadget allows you to adjust the pressure so you can change depending on the item you are cleaning. The gadget is £89.99. Air Fryer with grill and smoker - £99.99 8 Grill or air fry food in this Ninja dupe Credit: Lidl This clever gadget can work as both an air fryer with the lid closed and then a grill with the lid open. It's selling for £99.99 while a similar model from Ninja will cost you almost twice as much. The smoker on the gadget can be switched on separately when the lid is closed. There are seven programmes for smoking, grilling, air-frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating and reheating. Folding gazebo - £69.99 8 Host a summer gathering with this gazebo Credit: Lidl You never really know what you're going to get with the British weather. If you're planning a gathering in your garden, a gazebo helps keep the party going if rain is on the agenda. It can also come in handy when the sun is blazing to provide extra shade for guests. Lidl's folding gazebo will be in stores from Sunday, and comes complete with a hook for hanging a lamp or string lights. It's £69.99 if you are a Lidl Plus member but £89.99 if you aren't, so make sure you sign up to the loyalty scheme if you're planning on bagging the item. Pizza 0ven - £29.99 8 Create your own pizza with this add-on oven Credit: Lidl Turn your BBQ into a pizza oven with help from this handy gadget. The Grillmeister pizza oven is suitable to use with charcoal or gas barbecues. It's perfect if you want to enjoy authentic tasting pizza but don't have the room or budget to invest in a standalone outdoor oven. Priced at £29.99 it won't break the household budget either. Mosaic Garden Table - £19.99 8 Kit out your garden with this pretty table Credit: Lidl This pretty table is perfect for a few potted plants or just to hold drinks while enjoying your outdoor space. The frame is corrosion resistant and it's also weather and UV proofed. During winter you can also bring the table indoors. It's priced at a reasonable £19.99 Black LED Solar Lantern - £7.99 8 Decorate your garden with this LED lantern Credit: Lidl Solar lighting is a great way to bring your outdoor space to life after the sun goes down. Lidl is selling these stylish LED solar lanterns which can be placed on a table or hang up. As they're solar, the lighting won't make a dent in your energy bill. And at an affordable £7.99, you can easily add one or two to your setup. Beige Jute Placemats - Set of 2 - £3.49 8 These placemats are an easy way to upgrade your dining area Credit: Lidl Lidl is giving plenty of affordable ways to spruce up your outdoor dining with these on trend placements. Costing £3.49, they're an easy way to upgrade your outdoor dining area without splashing too much cash.
