TGI Fridays may have found a surprising solution to its struggling business

Lauren Edmonds

8 June 2024 at 1:57 pm·2-min read

TGI Fridays has struggled recently, closing dozens of restaurants earlier this year.
But the company said it's seeing new success at "travel- and tourism-focused destinations."
A TGI Fridays opened at a hotel in Holywood this week and an airport location is one of its busiest.

TGI Fridays says it is leaning into the travel industry to regain its footing with American diners.

The casual dining chain announced this week that it opened a new restaurant inside the Hilton Garden Inn in Hollywood. That might not seem revelatory on the surface, but the company called the new hotel-based restaurant "core to the brand's transformation strategy."

TGI Fridays has struggled to remain relevant with its domestic consumers in recent years. The chain suffered an 18% decline in domestic systemwide sales in 2023, The Dallas Morning News reported. And it closed 36 "underperforming" restaurants earlier this year.

The company now hopes focusing on the travel industry can turn things around.

"The new restaurant opening comes as TGI Fridays continues to see dominance across travel- and tourism-focused destinations, including airports, hotels, and casinos," the press release said.

TGI Fridays referenced the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, where it opened a newly renovated restaurant in July last year. That location is on track to become the "highest volume sales location of any US airport restaurant," the company says.

T.G.I Friday's restaurant in New York. — TGI Fridays. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The chief development officer at TGI Fridays said the success presents a tangible opportunity for growth.

"Whether domestic or international, leisure or business, we're seeing travelers gravitate to the familiar comfort of the beloved and iconic Fridays brand while they're on the road and away from home," Chris Devlin said in the press release.

There are almost 600 TGI Fridays restaurants across the globe.

TGI Fridays has undergone several leadership changes since May 2023, when Ray Blanchette stepped down as CEO. Brandon Coleman III took over the position that August but resigned and was replaced by Weldon Spangler in November 2023.

Read the original article on Business Insider

INSIDER
I took a 10-hour flight, and one carry-on item made sitting in economy more comfortable
Business Insider's author wasn't sure whether a foot hammock would be worth the precious space in her carry-on bag. It was.
INSIDER
I loved my first visit to Switzerland — but my trip would've been better if I hadn't made these 5 mistakes
My first trip to Switzerland differed from my other travels in Europe in surprising ways. Buses, restaurants, and Airbnbs were not what I expected.
INSIDER
I've taken 4 Disney cruises without kids. Here's why they're actually the perfect adults-only getaway.
I've taken 4 Disney cruises without children. The range of activities and amenities make Disney ships perfect for adults-only vacations.
BuzzFeed
I Visited Tokyo Disneyland — And It Was Absolutely Next-Level Compared To The Disney Parks In America
There are two Disney parks in Japan — and they're considered by many to be the best Disney parks in the world.
MoneySmart
How to Drive Into Johor Bahru From Singapore
From brunch at a trendy café in Mount Austin to shopping at KSL City Mall and dinner at a seaside kelong restaurant, Johor Bahru (JB) has it all. But getting... The post How to Drive Into Johor Bahru From Singapore appeared first on MoneySmart Blog.
HuffPost Life
9 Brilliant Packing And In-Flight Tips From Flight Attendants
Save yourself from disaster with this easy-to-follow guidance.
People
Photo of Delta’s ‘Spoiled’ Meals That Were Served to Passengers Reveals Mold on Food: ‘Tasted Really Sour’
Meal service was adjusted on “a few dozen flights” in the days after the July 3 incident, a Delta spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE
Euronews
Want to escape the heat? These are the 7 coolest European places you can reach by train this summer
Is extreme heat dampening your holiday spirit? Here are the coldest places in Europe you can get a train to right now.
Evening Standard
Guerlain spa at The OWO: a spellbinding addition to the city's wellness scene
London welcomes another world-class wellbeing destination
Good Housekeeping UK
A Northern Lights cruise was the 60th birthday gift of a lifetime
A Hurtigruten Northern Lights cruise was this writer’s 60th birthday to herself. It meant a bucket list trip in search of the Northern Lights.
The Telegraph
How skiers can travel by train to the slopes this winter
Tickets for Eurostar’s winter snow train will go on sale on Tuesday, July 9, nearly two months earlier than last year. In an extension to the previous schedule, this season’s programme will include trains during the February half-term holidays and capacity on the train has been increased by more than a third.
GOBankingRates
4 Things Even Millionaires Can’t Afford
You already know a dollar can't buy what it used to in the United States. And it turns out that a million dollars just isn't enough in many cases. Find Out: 6 Reasons the Poor Stay Poor and Middle...
Yahoo Life Shopping
We asked a flight attendant to share her travel must-haves — all $25 or less
You can never be too prepared when you're away from home — take it from a professional jet-setter.
GOBankingRates
Vacation Like the Rich in 7 Places That Feel Like the Maldives
Generations of movie stars, athletes, royals, millionaires and billionaires have flocked to the Maldives for the South Asian island chain's perfect year-round weather, private islands, luxury resorts,...
Reuters Videos
High cost, safety worries hit Paris Olympics bookings
STORY: The Olympic Games should be an economic boon for any city hosting it, as visitors flock to the event.Now Paris is due to host the 2024 Games in a few weeks, but high costs and security concerns seem to have put some visitors off.One leading data firm said flight bookings to the French capital are expected to rise by a tenth year-on-year from June 6 onwards.That is a sharp contrast to the 115% increase in tourist arrivals for the 2016 Rio Games. Even the Tokyo Games, held during the pandemic, saw bookings up by a fifth. Further data also showed hotel reservations have dropped since last year for the weeks ahead of the Olympics.One U.S.-based sports travel agent said it was the lowest bookings he'd seen in a quarter of a century for almost any sports event.The findings show the challenges major cities face hosting such events, as more price-conscious consumers can be put off.London experienced something similar in 2012, when it only saw a 3% increase in arrivals.But it is still a blow for Paris.The city's tourist office said average hotel prices during the Games have surged by 70% to $369 a night from last year.Meanwhile, homesharing site Airbnb says it has seen record Paris bookings. As of March, nights booked in the Paris region during the games were 400% higher than the same time a year ago.However, Air France-KLM said on Monday it expected weaker-than-expected summer sales as travelers avoid the Olympics.One luxury travel agency said clients had cited security worries as well as pricing as a reason to postpone trips.France is on its highest level of security alert, with the country also undergoing snap elections.The French capital's chief of police said last month Islamist terrorism is the main security worry.But some travel agencies hope there will be a last-minute rush for tickets and accommodation.They also think potential late discounts could draw crowdsOne analytics firm said visitors may arrive by train or car, and will not show up in flight data.Train operator Eurostar said ticket sales volumes to Paris for the Olympics and Paralympics travel period were up 7% year-on-year.The city should also be in for at least some financial success.One recent study estimated the Games would generate up to $12 billion in economic benefits to the Paris region.
The Independent
I want wine and carbs on an Italy holiday – here’s how to do it with wellness in mind
Italian escapes are all about wining and dining for Libby Brodie, but the slump after returning home is a drag – until she explores the region balancing wellbeing with indulgence
Hello!
I took my six month old abroad for the first time and here's what I learnt
Taking your baby abroad for the first time? Top tips from a first-time mum who has tackled a trip to Spain, staying in Madrid with a friend before visiting the Cosmo Hotel in Valencia.
The Independent
Americans are managing to pass US airport security with ammo in their hand luggage. The TSA doesn’t know how
Exclusive: Louisiana Rep Garret Graves, chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, admits it’s concerning that the TSA has no idea how American tourists are managing to accidentally take ammo onto flights unnoticed. James Liddell reports
The Independent
Flight to New Hampshire diverted after man exposes himself and pees in the aisle, officials say
The 25-year-old man from Oregon was arrested and charged with indecent exposure
Euronews
Trash-talk, photo shoots and bargaining: The most annoying things tourists do, according to locals
These are the biggest no-nos for tourists looking to blend in with the locals.

Latest stories