TGI Fridays UK Operator Files Third Administration Notice

Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group, the operator of TGI Fridays in the United Kingdom, filed its third notice of intent to appoint administrators on Wednesday, putting up to 20 of the chain's 49 locations at risk of closure and threatening around 2,000 jobs. The move, part of an ongoing effort to secure a rescue deal, extends the company's time to find a buyer or investment by another 10 days while halting debt collection efforts.

The filing comes amid financial pressures for the casual dining chain, which has faced a series of challenges in recent years. TGI Fridays, known for its American-style menu and lively atmosphere, originated in New York in 1965 and expanded to the UK in 1986 with its first site in Birmingham. After its previous UK operator entered administration earlier in 2024, the remaining restaurants were acquired by private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK. That transaction led to the closure of 35 locations across the country, resulting in approximately 1,000 redundancies. Despite those setbacks, the chain attempted a revival in July with a new menu and plans to refresh select sites.

Liberty's latest notice follows two prior filings, including one on...