The well-known American restaurant chain TGI Fridays has permanently shut 16 of its UK locations with immediate effect, resulting in 456 job losses. The move follows the group's parent company, Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, falling into administration.
Rescue Deal Secures Future for Remaining Sites
Administrators from Interpath Advisory were appointed on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. They swiftly concluded a sale of the business and its assets to a subsidiary of Sugarloaf, the firm behind the global TGI Fridays brand. This rescue package has ensured that 33 other TGI Fridays restaurants across the UK will remain open, safeguarding 1,384 jobs.
Sugarloaf had previously acquired the UK arm of the business from private equity firms Calveton UK and Breal Capital. The chain, which first opened in Britain in 1987, is now poised for a restructuring under its new ownership.
Full List of Permanent TGI Fridays Closures
The 16 branches that have now shut their doors for good are located across England and Scotland. The affected sites are:
- Ashton Under Lyne, Greater Manchester
- Doncaster, South Yorkshire
- Staines, Surrey
- Stevenage, Hertfordshire
- Walsall, West Midlands
- Bournemouth, Dorset
- Telford, Shropshire
- Reading, Berkshire
- Coventry, Warwickshire
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Crawley, West Sussex
- Aberdeen Beach, Scotland
- Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
- Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- Stratford, Greater London
- Braintree, Essex
Leadership Comments on the Brand's 'Pivotal Step'
Phil Broad, the global president of TGI Fridays, stated that the administration and sale represented the best outcome for securing the brand's long-term future in the UK. "We have been working closely to explore all available options," he said. "I believe that the future of the brand is in strong hands – focused on reinvigorating the brand while continuing to deliver the bold flavours, welcoming atmosphere, and high-energy dining experience that define TGI Fridays."
Ryan Grant, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, echoed this sentiment, noting the challenging climate for hospitality. "We are pleased to have been able to secure this transaction which will see this well-known brand continue to trade across the UK," Grant said. "This marks a pivotal step in TGI Fridays’ wider turnaround plan, putting in place stable foundations upon which it can begin to move forward."
The closures reflect ongoing pressures within the UK's casual dining sector, even as the deal provides a lifeline for the majority of the chain's operations and workforce.
