Restaurant chain TGI Fridays closed 36 underperforming locations this week as part of a restructuring effort at the company.
While there is no official list of each location closed, reporting suggests that restaurants in California, Colorado, Florida, Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts were shuttered.
“Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest,” Chief Operating Officer Ray Risley said in a release. “We’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet — and exceed — on that brand promise.”
According to a release, 80% of affected workers were offered relocation opportunities to other stores in the area.
On top of closing three dozen restaurants, the company is selling several stores to former CEO Ray Blanchette, who will operate them. TGI Fridays said he has a unique understanding of the brand and hopes he will lead the stores into a more productive future.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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