The UK operations of the iconic American restaurant chain TGI Fridays are facing a severe threat just days before Christmas. The chain's parent company has taken the dramatic step of filing a notice of intention to appoint administrators for the second time in a matter of weeks, putting dozens of sites and thousands of jobs in jeopardy.
Administration Notice Filed Amid Rescue Efforts
Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the entity responsible for running TGI Fridays across the UK, submitted the critical legal notice on 19 December 2025. This alarming move comes swiftly on the heels of an identical filing made just a fortnight earlier on 5 December.
In an official statement, Phil Broad, president of TGI Fridays international franchising, confirmed the action. He sought to provide reassurance, stating that all restaurants would continue to operate throughout the crucial Christmas trading period. Mr Broad framed the move as part of a strategy by the new owners, who took control in November, to secure the brand's long-term future in the UK market.
A Chain's Rocky Recent History
The latest crisis marks another turbulent chapter for the well-known brand, which was first established in the United States back in 1965. The UK arm was only recently purchased out of administration in October 2024 as part of a rescue deal. That transaction saved 51 restaurants but resulted in the immediate closure of 35 others.
Following that restructuring, the chain currently operates 49 restaurants nationwide and employs approximately 2,500 staff members. The fate of these sites and their workforce is now hanging in the balance as the company navigates the administration process for the second time in just over a year.
Full List of UK Restaurants at Risk
The notice of intention to appoint administrators places every TGI Fridays location in the UK under a cloud of uncertainty. The comprehensive list of restaurants now at potential risk includes:
- Aberdeen Beach
- Aberdeen Union Square
- Ashton-Under-Lyme
- Basildon
- Birmingham
- Bluewater
- Bolton
- Bournemouth
- Braehead
- Braintree
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Castleford
- Cheadle
- Cheshire Oaks
- Coventry
- Crawley
- Doncaster
- Edinburgh
- Fareham
- Glasgow Buchanan Street
- Glasgow Fort
- High Wycombe
- Lakeside Quay
- Lakeside Retail Park
- Leeds Junction 27
- Leeds White Rose
- Liverpool One
- London Stratford City
- London the o2
- Meadowhall
- Metro Centre Gateshead
- Milton Keynes
- Milton Keynes Stadium
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Reading
- Rushden Lakes
- Sheffield
- Silverburn
- Southampton Retail Park
- Staines
- Stevenage
- Teesside
- Telford
- Trafford Centre
- Walsall
- Watford Central
- Wembley
The situation presents a significant blow to the UK's hospitality sector during what is typically its busiest and most profitable season. Customers with Christmas bookings are advised to contact their local restaurant for direct updates, while staff await crucial news about their employment futures in the new year.
