The last remaining TGI Fridays in Tampa has permanently closed this week, marking the end of an era for the once-popular casual dining chain in our area. The location at 11705 W Hillsborough Ave shuttered without warning, leaving Tampa residents with no local access to the restaurant’s famous appetizers and cocktails.
The closure follows a steady decline in TGI Fridays locations across Florida, with the nearest restaurants now only available in Orlando. Just last year, Tampa had multiple Fridays locations, including spots on Fowler Avenue and Bruce B Downs Boulevard, but the Hillsborough Avenue restaurant was the final holdout.
The closure comes as no surprise to industry watchers. TGI Fridays Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 2, 2024, citing financial troubles that have plagued the chain for years. The company pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic as the “primary driver of our financial challenges” in its bankruptcy filing.
This shuttering is part of a larger nationwide contraction for the brand. At the beginning of 2024, TGI Fridays had approximately 270 U.S. locations, but that number has dramatically decreased throughout the year. In January alone, the chain closed 36 “underperforming” locations, followed by nearly 50 more abrupt closures in October.
The brand, once synonymous with casual dining in America, has a storied history. TGI Fridays was founded in 1965 in Manhattan by Alan Stillman, who opened the first restaurant as a place for young singles to meet. The chain grew rapidly and became known for its red-and-white striped awnings, Tiffany-style lamps, and festive atmosphere. At its peak in 2008, the company operated 601 restaurants in the United States.
Industry analysts point to several factors in TGI Fridays’ decline, including changing consumer preferences, increased competition from fast-casual restaurants, and the lingering effects of the pandemic. The chain also experienced significant leadership turnover in recent years, with multiple CEO changes hampering efforts to revitalize the brand.
While the parent company of TGI Fridays has secured financing to continue operating its remaining locations during bankruptcy proceedings, the future remains uncertain for the once-dominant chain. The company has stated it will “explore strategic alternatives in order to ensure the long-term viability of the brand.”
For now, Tampa residents craving their TGI Fridays fix will need to make the drive to Orlando, ending a chapter in Tampa’s dining scene that spanned decades.