TGI Friday's Bankruptcy: Fate Of PA Locations Murky

PENNSYLVANIA — The future of TGI Friday's Pennsylvania restaurants is uncertain after the casual dining chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Saturday.

The bankruptcy affects TGI Friday's’ parent company, which operates 39 restaurants, and not the franchisees that control the remaining locations. The company said in a statement that it has secured financing so that all restaurants will operate as usual during the bankruptcy proceedings.

“The next steps announced today are difficult but necessary actions to protect the best interests of our stakeholders, including our domestic and international franchisees and our valued team members around the world,” Rohit Manocha, TGI Fridays’ executive chairman, said in a statement.

TGI Friday's had 270 restaurants as recently as last year, but that number has been trimmed to 163 after 36 locations were shuttered in January and dozens more closed last month. While the chain did not indicate if additional closures are planned, the statement said Friday's plans to "explore strategic alternatives in order to ensure the long-term viability of the brand."

According to the TGI Friday's website, the chain has 13 remaining locations in Pennsylvania:

• Scranton (1)
• Philadelphia (1)
• Greensburg (1)
• Monroeville (1)
• Williamsport (1)
• Bethel Park (1)
• Wilkes Barre (1)
• Gettysburg (1)
• Erie (1)
• Bethlehem (1)
• Bensalem (1)
• Pgh International Airport (1)
• Quakertown (1)