Latest news with #JulieMcEwan
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.'
Metro
05-07-2025
- Business
- Metro
Legendary restaurant chain launches UK 'comeback' with new menu after rescue
A popular American restaurant chain has announced a 'full brand reset' as it looks to regain its presence in the UK. TGI Fridays said it undergone a major transformation, with new dishes and improved grill items, after it filed for bankruptcy last November. The group's UK owner, Hostmore LLC, had announced plans to purchase the whole worldwide brand in April 2024, but pulled out of the deal, leaving TGI Fridays to enter administration in October of that year. A rescue deal saved 51 of its UK locations, but 35 restaurants were forced to close, including the chain's flagship branch in London's Leicester Square, which shut shop in January. As part of the relaunch, timed to coincide with Independence Day in the US, diners at TGI Fridays this weekend will receive a voucher for a free return meal, valid during the week until the end of the month. A new and improved menu includes an 'ultimate Texas mixed grill' and cajun-spiced salmon fillet. Customers will also be able to choose from an all new American sandwich range. 50 per cent of the chain's dishes have been revamped, with 70 per cent of its grill offerings refreshed. The Americana themed restaurants have been a fixture of British towns since arriving from across the pond back in 1986. The bistro chain now employs 2,500 people across 49 restaurants, the Sun reported. Despite a decline in UK restaurant sector last year, TGI Fridays said that its takings had picked up in 2025. Its UK CEO Julie McEwan said: '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.' More Trending It comes after London restaurant chain Ping Pong announced it would be closing down after more than two decades on the high street. The dim sum specialists, founded in Soho in 2004, had 13 branches at their peak before slimming down to four more recently. These were located on South Bank, near St Paul's Cathedral, Marylebone and Soho's Great Marlborough Street. Bosses did not give a reason for the decision, which comes three years after they appointed administrators and revealed the company had racked up considerable debt over the Covid pandemic. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I moved to London dreaming of LGBTQ+ paradise — the reality is bleak MORE: What I Own: We bought our £260,350 London home through a government saving scheme MORE: London Pride map shows route parade will take through city today
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Legendary restaurant chain announces huge UK comeback after being saved from administration with 35 closures
Diners will also see a new menu with exciting new flavours 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."
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.'
