A major UK restaurant chain has placed dozens of sites at risk after collapsing into administration, putting jobs and high street venues under fresh pressure.
Those affected include high street staples in major cities such as London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
TGI Fridays is facing an uncertain future after its parent company submitted paperwork to appoint administrators for the second time this month.
Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group filed the notice on 19 December, just two weeks after making the same move on 5 December.
The American-style restaurant chain, which was founded in New York in 1965, currently operates 49 sites across the UK.
More than 2,000 jobs are now at risk as the business looks for new investment or a potential buyer.
The company said it is seeking extra time to explore options that could protect its long-term future, a move confirmed by Phil Broad, president of TGI Fridays’ international franchising arm.
“The Directors of TGI Fridays UK can confirm that a notice of intent to appoint administrators was filed with the court,” he said.
“This step brings the new owners, who assumed control last month, closer to securing and strengthening the long-term future of TGI Fridays in the UK.”
Mr Broad provided reassurance that all restaurants would continue trading throughout the festive period.
The chain has been working with specialists from advisory firm Interpath as it navigates the challenging process of finding a path forward.
TGI Fridays set to be sold again | PA/TGI Friday’s
The UK arm of TGI Fridays has had a difficult few years, having already fallen into administration before being rescued last year.
In October 2024, private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK bought the business, saving 51 restaurants but closing 35 others.
At the time, the chain said it had gone through major changes under its new owners.
However, the latest move to appoint administrators suggests the restructured business is still under serious financial pressure, despite the previous rescue deal.
The company had said earlier this year that it was working on a turnaround plan after emerging from its previous collapse
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PAThe company had said earlier this year that it was working on a turnaround plan after emerging from its previous collapse.
Filing the administration notice activates a legal protection that temporarily stops creditors from chasing unpaid debts.
This gives the business an extra 10 days to try to find new investors or a buyer willing to take over the struggling chain.
All 49 UK sites are expected to remain operational during the Christmas trading period while negotiations continue.
Those affected include high street staples in major cities such as London, Birmingham and Glasgow
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PEXELSFull list of TGI Fridays restaurants that are at risk:
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
Metrocentre 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