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Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Famous restaurant chain makes UK 'comeback' following near-collapse with 'full brand reset'
TGI Fridays has launched a UK 'comeback' after a rescue deal saved it from the brink of collapse late last year. The UK arm of the US chain, which first arrived from across the pond in 1986, saw the bulk of its remaining restaurants bought out by Breal Capital and Calveton UK after its previous operator fell into administration. It meant that nearly 2,400 jobs had been saved, but led to more than 1,000 redundancies as 35 restaurants not included in the sale were forced to close. TGI has now revealed a 'full brand reset' to rebuild in the UK, with the brand boasting new dishes and grill items. The relaunch was timed to coincide with Independence Day in the US last week. A new and improved menu includes an 'ultimate Texas mixed grill' and cajun-spiced salmon fillet. The bistro chain, which reportedly now employs 2,500 people across 49 restaurants, said its takings have picked up so far in 2025. UK chief executive Julie McEwan added: '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.'
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Legendary restaurant chain announces huge UK comeback after being saved from administration with 35 closures
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. 3 3 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." 3
South Wales Guardian
04-07-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
TGI Fridays hails ‘comeback' with new menu launch after UK chain rescued
The US-themed restaurant and cocktail bar said it had undergone a significant transformation since being bought out of administration in October. The comeback campaign, which bosses described as a 'full brand reset', will involve half of its dishes updated and 70% of the grill items reworked, incorporating new flavours and more customisation. It also plans to revive the brand's 'Americana' influence and theatre theme – with some locations reintroducing photo booths and candyfloss machines. TGI Fridays said it was launching a comeback offer to mark the relaunch and prompt more diners to come back. 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, valid on weekdays for the rest of the month. TGI Fridays first opened in New York in 1965 with a party-led theme and continues to operate a string of restaurants in the US. After its previous UK operator fell into administration, 51 restaurants were acquired by private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK. While the deal secured a future for the chain on Britain's high streets, it led to the closure of 35 restaurants, resulting in about 1,000 staff being made redundant. TGI said it now operates 49 restaurants and has about 2,500 members of staff. Restructuring efforts since the takeover have resulted in a leaner and more streamlined business with a significant reduction in overhead costs, it said on Friday. It also highlighted an improvement in sales in recent months, since the start of 2025. Prior to the acquisition, TGI faced falling sales in the UK amid wider struggles for the casual dining sector, which has grappled with 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.'
Powys County Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
TGI Fridays hails ‘comeback' with new menu launch after UK chain rescued
TGI Fridays has hailed a 'comeback' with a new menu and plans to revitalise restaurants after the chain secured a rescue deal last year but made a string of closures. The US-themed restaurant and cocktail bar said it had undergone a significant transformation since being bought out of administration in October. The comeback campaign, which bosses described as a 'full brand reset', will involve half of its dishes updated and 70% of the grill items reworked, incorporating new flavours and more customisation. It also plans to revive the brand's 'Americana' influence and theatre theme – with some locations reintroducing photo booths and candyfloss machines. TGI Fridays said it was launching a comeback offer to mark the relaunch and prompt more diners to come back. 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, valid on weekdays for the rest of the month. TGI Fridays first opened in New York in 1965 with a party-led theme and continues to operate a string of restaurants in the US. After its previous UK operator fell into administration, 51 restaurants were acquired by private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK. While the deal secured a future for the chain on Britain's high streets, it led to the closure of 35 restaurants, resulting in about 1,000 staff being made redundant. TGI said it now operates 49 restaurants and has about 2,500 members of staff. Restructuring efforts since the takeover have resulted in a leaner and more streamlined business with a significant reduction in overhead costs, it said on Friday. It also highlighted an improvement in sales in recent months, since the start of 2025. Prior to the acquisition, TGI faced falling sales in the UK amid wider struggles for the casual dining sector, which has grappled with 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.'
North Wales Chronicle
04-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
TGI Fridays hails ‘comeback' with new menu launch after UK chain rescued
The US-themed restaurant and cocktail bar said it had undergone a significant transformation since being bought out of administration in October. The comeback campaign, which bosses described as a 'full brand reset', will involve half of its dishes updated and 70% of the grill items reworked, incorporating new flavours and more customisation. It also plans to revive the brand's 'Americana' influence and theatre theme – with some locations reintroducing photo booths and candyfloss machines. TGI Fridays said it was launching a comeback offer to mark the relaunch and prompt more diners to come back. 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, valid on weekdays for the rest of the month. TGI Fridays first opened in New York in 1965 with a party-led theme and continues to operate a string of restaurants in the US. After its previous UK operator fell into administration, 51 restaurants were acquired by private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK. While the deal secured a future for the chain on Britain's high streets, it led to the closure of 35 restaurants, resulting in about 1,000 staff being made redundant. TGI said it now operates 49 restaurants and has about 2,500 members of staff. Restructuring efforts since the takeover have resulted in a leaner and more streamlined business with a significant reduction in overhead costs, it said on Friday. It also highlighted an improvement in sales in recent months, since the start of 2025. Prior to the acquisition, TGI faced falling sales in the UK amid wider struggles for the casual dining sector, which has grappled with 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.'
