​TGI Fridays Locations In New Hampshire Sold, One Closes: Reports​

CONCORD, NH — The casual dining chain TGI Fridays is closing 36 “underperforming” stores in 12 states as part of an “ongoing growth strategy” that includes the sale of eight restaurants to a former CEO.

The TGI Fridays closures affect seven restaurants in New Jersey, six in Massachusetts, five in New York, four each in Texas and Virginia, and two in Colorado. Restaurants in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania are also part of the closure, though the company did not specify where they are located.

Shuttered TGI Fridays locations announced the abrupt closing, “effective Jan. 2, 2024,” to customers with signs on their doors, according to social media posts and the New York Post.

WCVB-TV reported the Amherst location had also been closed.

At the same time, former CEO Ray Blanchette, creator of the Loaded Potato Skins appetizer, will the Concord and Manchester eateries and six restaurants in Massachusetts (Braintree, Boston, Everett, Methuen, Millbury and Stoughton).

About 1,000 workers will lose their jobs due to the closures, but about 80 percent of them will be offered transfers within the company, according to the news release.

The chain has about 275 U.S. locations.