Who Owns TGI Friday's?
TGI Friday's is owned by Tilman Fertitta, a private investor who acquired the company in 2018. The brand was founded in 1965 and operates as a casual dining restaurant chain. TGI Friday's is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA.
Parent Company
TGI Friday's, Inc.
Acquired
2018
Status
Private
Headquarters
Dallas, Texas, USA
Who Owns TGI Friday's?
- Parent Company: TGI Friday's, Inc.
- Ownership Type: Private company
- Acquisition Year: 2018
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| TGI Friday's | TGI Friday's, Inc. | Private company |
History of TGI Friday's
- Founded: 1965
- Founders: Alan Stillman
- Acquired by TGI Friday's, Inc.: 2018
TGI Friday's was founded in 1965 by Alan Stillman, a 25-year-old perfume salesman, in New York City. The concept was born from Stillman's observation that single women in New York were hesitant to go to bars alone, but would be comfortable in a public place that felt like a cocktail party. He invested $5,000 of his savings to convert a corner bar at 63rd Street and First Avenue into the first TGI Friday's, creating a casual dining environment that was neither a bar nor a traditional restaurant.
The original TGI Friday's pioneered several concepts that would become standard in casual dining. The restaurant featured red-and-white striped tablecloths, Tiffany-style lamps, and a bar stocked with an unprecedented selection of spirits. Stillman introduced the concept of "flair" - decorative items and memorabilia displayed throughout the restaurant - creating the eclectic, energetic atmosphere that became the brand's signature.
The concept was an immediate success, attracting young professionals and becoming a gathering place for singles. By 1971, TGI Friday's had expanded to multiple locations and was generating significant attention. The company went public in 1983, providing capital for rapid expansion. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, TGI Friday's became synonymous with casual dining, popularizing items like loaded potato skins, Buffalo wings, and elaborate frozen drinks.
The brand's international expansion began in the 1980s, with locations opening in the United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries. TGI Friday's became one of the first American casual dining chains to achieve global recognition. However, the company faced increasing competition in the 1990s and 2000s from newer casual dining concepts and changing consumer preferences.
In 2018, Tilman Fertitta, owner of Landry's restaurant group, acquired TGI Friday's for an undisclosed amount. Fertitta brought the brand under his hospitality empire, which includes Golden Nugget casinos, Rainforest Cafe, and numerous other restaurant concepts. Under Fertitta's ownership, TGI Friday's has focused on menu innovation, modernizing its bar program, and adapting to delivery and takeout trends accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
About TGI Friday's, Inc.
TGI Friday's, Inc. operates as a casual dining restaurant company specializing in American cuisine and bar service. The company manages a portfolio of restaurant locations operating under the TGI Friday's brand name.
In 2026, TGI Friday's is implementing an ambitious strategic vision to more than double its global restaurant footprint over the next five years as part of a post-bankruptcy revival. The 400-unit, Dallas-based chain wants to reach more than 1,000 restaurants and $2 billion in revenue by 2030. This expansion includes new openings in key U.S. and U.K. markets as well as emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, the Balkans, and Africa, according to CEO Ray Blanchette. The development plans entail both traditional restaurant locations as well as outlets in hotels and airports, where the brand has performed well.
This strategic reset follows TGI Fridays filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2024, during which half of the chain's domestic restaurants closed and U.S. sales fell by 43%. Despite these challenges, the company has positioned itself as a global brand with American roots, with restaurants in 40 countries and total revenue of just over $1 billion in 2024, about 60% of which came from outside the U.S. The company tapped Blanchette to lead its post-bankruptcy revival, leveraging his extensive experience with TGI Fridays from 1989 to 2007 and again from 2018 to 2023 as CEO.
The new plan focuses on rekindling the energetic spirit that defined TGI Fridays in its heyday, including creating more immersive experiences around big events like holidays and sporting events. The chain's "holiday takeover" initiative was a big success, with increased traffic and ticket averages, higher online ratings, and more demand for parties and corporate events. TGI Friday's restaurants serve as casual dining destinations offering American cuisine, appetizers, entrees, and full bar service, known for their lively atmosphere and social dining experience. The company operates through company-owned and franchised locations while maintaining brand standards and quality.
- Founded: 1965
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is TGI Friday's Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Dallas, Texas, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, International locations
TGI Friday's Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Established brand with 60+ year heritage
- +Distinctive casual dining concept with bar focus
- +Strong brand recognition and customer loyalty
- +Lively atmosphere differentiating from competitors
- +International presence and expansion opportunities
- +Flexible franchise model supporting growth
Considerations
- -Intense competition in casual dining sector
- -Changing consumer preferences affecting restaurant traffic
- -Operational complexity managing franchise locations
- -Commodity price volatility affecting food costs
- -Dependence on discretionary consumer spending
- -Private ownership limiting transparency
Frequently Asked Questions About TGI Friday's
Competitors to TGI Friday's
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooters Of America | USA | 1983 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Cheesecake Factory Incorporated | USA | 1978 | Mass Market | North America | Male | |
| California Pizza Kitchen Inc | USA | 1985 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Darden Restaurants | USA | 1996 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Bloomin Brands | USA | 2000 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Bloomin Brands | USA | 1986 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Hooters
Owned by Hooters of America, LLC
American casual dining restaurant chain known for its seafood and American cuisine, featuring a distinctive brand identity.
The Cheesecake Factory
Owned by The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated
American casual dining restaurant chain known for extensive menu offerings and signature cheesecake desserts.
California Pizza Kitchen
Owned by California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain known for innovative gourmet pizzas and California-inspired cuisine.
Yard House
Owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in American cuisine with extensive beer selection, owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.
Bonefish Grill
Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
American casual dining seafood and grill restaurant chain owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN), known for fresh seafood and wood-grilled preparations across approximately 200 locations in the United States.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
American casual dining Italian restaurant chain, owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: TGI Friday's competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
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