TGI Fridays announced last week they will be closing 36 of their locations, including their restaurant in Danvers, as a part of the brand’s ongoing growth strategy going into the new year. Six restaurants in total will close in Massachusetts.
“We regret to inform you that Fridays has made the difficult decision to close our doors at Danvers effective Jan. 2, 2024. Unfortunately, we do not have a nearby location, but look for us in airports and other cities across the country. We are extremely grateful to our loyal guests and our Team Members at our Danvers restaurant,” a note left on the door at TGI Fridays located at 49 Newbury St. read.
With the closure of these underperforming locations, the casual restaurant chain is looking to “create an unprecedented opportunity for Fridays to drive forward its vision for the future”, according to a press release by the company.
Before the closure of these locations, TGI Fridays had over 650 restaurants across the globe, with about 270 U.S locations in 30 different states.
“I guess it is my responsibility as the final General Manager of this legendary store with a very heavy heart to inform all of you former Friday’s Danvers employees that last night we closed the doors for good after 40 long fun and memorable years,” Steve Matthew Carter posted on the Facebook page “TGI Friday’s Danvers Crew of the 90’s and Friends”.
“I had the honor and pleasure of working with most of you, and just want to say one final statement: As long as we all maintain our memories and stories of all of our incredible events and hijinks, whether good or bad, TGI Fridays in Danvers will live forever,” he wrote.
The company is offering former employees more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, which represents over 80% of total impacted employees. It was unclear how many employees are affected by the Danvers closure.
As another part of this growth plan, TGI Fridays also recently announced the sale of eight previously corporate-owned restaurants in the Northeast to former CEO Ray Blanchette.
With the closure of the TGI Fridays locations in Berlin/Marlborough, Dedham, Mansfield, North Attleboro, Seekonk, and Danvers, the remaining half of locations in Massachusetts are in Methuen, Boston, Milbury, Braintree, North Dartmouth, Stoughton, and Everett.