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.
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‘Over the past eight months, we’ve restructured the business, invested in our incredible team, and rebuilt our offer around quality, value and experience.’
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.
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