Selectmen Suspend TGI Friday's Liquor License for 5 Days

Framingham Selectmen voted to suspend the liquor license of TGI Friday’s in Framingham for five days in July.

The vote was unanimous Tuesday night, June 16.

The Shoppers World restaurant will not be able to serve alcohol from July 22-26.

The restaurant and the Framingham Police department reached an agreement on a liquor license violation that occurred in December 2014, and asked Selectmen to approve last night.

In April, Police came before Selectmen with a recommendation for a 3-day suspension.

A majority of the 5-member board said the suspension was not enough and recommended the two parties work out a stiffer penalty. One selectmen back in April even suggested a 15-day suspension, with 8 days to be served.

On December 17 2014, just after 12:30 a.m., a Maynard man, 37, drove his Jeep into the front lobby of TGI Friday’s in Shoppers World in Framingham.

The vehicle struck two women who were on the sidewalk. Their injuries included a broken bone and a concussion. The restaurant also sustained structural damage.

According to a police investigation, the man was served five 1-ounce shots of alcohol and five beers within a two and half hour period.

The bartender at the restaurant told Framingham Police he did served the Maynard man and five of his friends about 20 shots, seven mixed drinks, and 8 beers over two and a half hours.

After the December 2014 incident, Framingham Deputy Police Chief Ron Brandolini said the restaurant terminated the bartender.

The restaurant also put into place a program that the third beverage served to a customer prompts a notification to the manager who goes right to the table to speak with the customer.

Along with the 5-day suspension, the restaurant agrees to have monthly compliance meetings with Framingham Police, and pay a $300 investigation fee.

Attorney Albert A. DeNapoli, who was representing TGI Friday’s said last night the restaurant accepted the disposition.

“We take responsibility very seriously,” said DeNapoli.

“Thank you for working to get this resolved,” said Framingham Selectmen Chair Charlie Sistisky.

Selectman Laurie Lee said after the April public hearing she was hoping to see a recommendation with more force and monitoring and was happy with this joint recommendation between the Framingham Police and the restaurant.

The December 2014 incident was not the first violation for TGI Friday’s.

In 2012, the Shoppers World restaurant received a warning from the Alcohol Beverage Control Commission for allowing a person under age 21 to possess alcohol.

in 2000, Framingham Selectmen issued a combined 9-day suspension for selling alcohol to minors. A 3-day suspension for a violation on April 15 and a 6-day suspension for a violation on April 20, 2000.