TGI Fridays abruptly closes dozens of locations, including two in North Jersey

Megan Burrow, NorthJersey.com

TGI Fridays abruptly closed dozens of locations across the country this week, including restaurants in Hackensack and Wayne.

The nearly 60-year-old chain said in a release that it shuttered 36 “underperforming locations” as part of a larger “long-term growth strategy” to revitalize the brand.

A sign on the door of the Hackensack restaurant in Continental Plaza said Fridays made the “difficult decision” to close its doors effective Tuesday and advised customers of the longtime location to visit nearby TGI Fridays in West Nyack, West Orange or Linden.

TGI Fridays in Hackensack.
TGI Fridays in Hackensack.

“We are extremely grateful to our loyal guests and our team members at our Hackensack restaurant,” the sign said.

The Wayne location, in Wayne Town Center, was also shuttered this week, one of seven of the chain’s restaurants to close in the state.

TGI Fridays' New Jersey locations that closed are:

  • 401 Gill Lane, Iselin

  • 411 Hackensack Avenue, Hackensack

  • 71 Route 23 South, Wayne

  • 180 NJ-35 Ste 6000, Eatontown

  • 40 US-22, Springfield

  • 970 Route 73 North, Marlton

  • 3535 US-1 #275, Princeton

In recent years the fast-casual chain, known for its happy hour specials, appetizers and frozen drinks, has looked to reinvent itself with new menu and bar items.

A sign on the door of TGI Fridays in Hackensack.
A sign on the door of TGI Fridays in Hackensack.

The company said about 80% of the employees affected were offered opportunities to transfer to other locations. Another eight previously corporate-owned restaurants in the Northeast were sold to former CEO Ray Blanchette, who left the company in May.

More: From Kmart to Corrado's, these North Jersey businesses closed for good in 2023

“Our top priority has always been delivering a superior experience for each and every TGI Fridays guest, and we’ve identified opportunities to optimize and streamline our operations to ensure we are best positioned to meet – and exceed – on that brand promise,” said Ray Risley, the company’s U.S. president and chief operating officer, in the release.

“By strengthening our franchise model and closing underperforming stores, we are creating an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future,” he said.

Closed TGI Fridays locations outside New Jersey are:

  • California: Fresno

  • Colorado: Longmont and Denver

  • Connecticut: Newington

  • Florida: Ormond Beach and Royal Palms

  • Massachusetts: Berlin/Marlborough, Danvers, Dedham, Seekonk, Mansfield and North Attleboro

  • Maryland: Columbia and Bowie

  • New Hampshire: Amherst

  • New York: Albany, Bay Shore, Woodbury Township, Hauppauge and Massapequa

  • Pennsylvania: Willow Grove

  • Texas: Corpus Christi, North Arlington, Houston Almeda in Houston and The Woodlands

  • Virginia: Springfield

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Two North Jersey TGI Fridays among dozens abruptly closed

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