TGI Fridays closing decades-old spot & won't say why - next shop is miles away (2024)

TGI Fridays is closing another location after the company announced that dozens of restaurants would be shutting for good.

Foodies love TGI Fridays for its affordable appetizers, signature dishes, and lively bar.

So many fans were disappointed to learn that the only TGI Fridays in Mentor, Ohio —about 30 minutes outside of Cleveland — locked its doors for good last week.

The closed location is located at 7814 Reynolds Road, a TGI Fridays spokesman told local Fox affiliate WJW.

Guests were served for the last time on May 14, the representative said.

Mentor city officials told local reporters that there were no plans for another business to take over the location.

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The nearest TGI Fridays restaurant to Mentor is now located about 30 miles away in Brooklyn.

OtherTGI Fridays locationsin northeast Ohio include Canton, Stow, and Strongsville.

MORE RESTAURANT CLOSURES PENDING

No reason was given for the Mentor closure but the company issued apress releaseannouncing dozens of locations would shutter as part of the company’s plans.

"As part of the brand's ongoing growth strategy, TGI Fridays will also close 36 underperforming locations in select markets across the US," the company wrote.

The release did not specify which locations would close.

TGI Fridays currently operates 229 different restaurants across the United States and hundreds more spots in other countries.

Part of the company strategy includes eight restaurants in the Northeast that will transfer ownership from the corporation to former CEORay Blanchette, the announcement said.

"With a history of deep involvement and unwavering confidence in the Fridays brand, Mr. Blanchette brings an unmatched understanding of the TGI Fridays business and the restaurant's commitment to delivering excellence for guests," representatives wrote.

"Following the finalization of the sale, Blanchette will lead the locations into a new phase of revitalization."

The closures' impact on employees was addressed by the company, too.

"As part of the store closures, TGI Fridays is offering more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, which represents over 80% of total impacted employees," the company wrote.

TOUGH TIMES FOR RESTAURANTS

TGI Fridays is not the only popular restaurant to announce large-scale closures nationwide.

A competitor has also told foodie fans to expect several "tough decisions" in the coming months.

Dozens of Chili's restaurants have closed over the last year, including spots in Louisiana, California, and Virginia.

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And the Tex-Mex hangout Tijuana Flats announced it would be closing 11 locations across Florida earlier this month.

Company representatives told FinanceBuzz that the restaurant had filed for bankruptcy after suffering from a steady decrease in profits.

Topics

• Food and drink
• Money US
• Store closings
• Ohio