A prominent UK restaurant chain has abruptly shut down 16 of its locations as part of a major restructuring deal. TGI Fridays has entered a pre-pack administration, a move that has preserved 33 branches and 1,384 jobs but resulted in significant immediate closures.
Restructuring Saves Chain but Cuts Sites
The deal, confirmed on 14 January 2026, represents a pivotal step in the struggling chain's turnaround plan. While 33 restaurants have been saved from closure, the 16 shuttered sites were closed with immediate effect. This follows a previous round of closures in 2024, when 35 restaurants were shut and around 1,000 workers were made redundant after a rescue deal.
Phil Broad, the Global President of TGI Fridays, stated the administration was the most viable path forward. "We have been working closely to explore all available options for securing the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK, and believe that this is the best outcome for the business, preserves jobs, and offers a strong platform for success and growth," he said.
Full List of Closed TGI Fridays Restaurants
The following 16 branches have been closed immediately as a result of the pre-pack administration deal:
- Aberdeen Beach
- Ashton
- Bournemouth
- Braintree
- Coventry
- Crawley
- Doncaster
- Edinburgh
- Nottingham
- Reading
- Sheffield
- Staines
- Stevenage
- Stratford
- Telford
- Walsall
Administrators Cite 'Difficult Times' for Hospitality
Ryan Grant, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, acknowledged the challenges facing the sector. "We are pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which will see this well-known brand continue to trade across the UK," he commented. "While these have been difficult times for hospitality operators generally, this marks a pivotal step in TGI Friday’s wider turnaround plan, putting in place stable foundations upon which it can begin to move forward."
The latest rescue deal involves the firm's acquisition by entities connected to Breal Capital and Calveton UK. This follows the 2024 deal where the same group took on 51 sites, leading to the closure of the remaining 35. The repeated restructuring highlights the ongoing pressures on the UK restaurant chain sector, with rising costs and changing consumer habits taking a toll.
The immediate impact is a fresh wave of job losses for staff at the closed locations, adding to the turbulence within the UK's casual dining industry. The company has expressed its devastation for the colleagues leaving and stated it is doing everything possible to support those affected.
