TGI Fridays, one of America’s most beloved bar and grill chains, has announced that it will be closing 36 of its less successful locations across the U.S. The news was made public on October 21st, 2020 and comes as the restaurant industry continues to struggle due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With over 600 locations across the nation, the company has been a popular spot for families, friends and coworkers to grab a bite to eat and drinks. While other chains have turned to creative ways to keep up their dining options, such as takeout, drive-thru, and outdoor dining, TGI Fridays had been largely unable to do so.
“Unfortunately, due to closures and restrictions dictated by various state and local governments associated with the pandemic, some of our TGI Fridays U.S. restaurants had to temporarily close, while others experienced reduced operations,” said The Briad Group, who oversees TGI Fridays. “We have assessed the performance of each of our franchises during this difficult time and have identified approximately 36 locations as underperforming. We will be closing those locations in the weeks ahead.”
The exact locations have yet to be announced, but what is certain is that this pandemic has been taking its toll on the restaurant industry. While it may be difficult news for some, TGI Fridays stated that it is their hope to continue to provide their typical American-style dining experience once the pandemic passes, as safety measures continue to improve.
