For decades it has been a favourite for kids’ birthday parties, family days out and fun dates, but the future of restaurant chain TGI Friday’s now looks uncertain after its parent company Hostmore filed for administration.
While the brand was once cherished for its restaurants’ buzzy atmosphere, friendly servers and American diner-style decor, its owners in the UK have been left with no choice but to sell off the country’s 87 branches.
But if some restaurant-goers are lamenting the loss of TGI’s ‘lethal slush puppy style cocktail’, many more appear to be utterly unsurprised by the demise of the chain.
Responding to an article citing the upcoming closures, Reddit users have shared their views on the chain – and the vast majority have pulled no punches.
One person commented: ‘Not in the least bit surprised. I visited one last month for the first time in about 15 years, and it was a terrible experience.’
TGI Friday’s today announced it had gone into administration, with its owners in the UK now trying to sell the country’s 87 branches
The same user blamed ‘disinterested staff, long wait times, and sub-standard food at premium prices.’
The person also took the opportunity to decry other High Street stalwarts, adding: ‘Other places I can’t believe still exist include Frankie & Benny’s and Chiquito.’
Another diner quick to slam TGI Friday’s wrote: ‘Such an awful, overpriced place.’
Explaining that they had visited the branch in The O2, the person added: ‘It was probably the worst dining experience of my life – and I’ve eaten in some c*** holes!’
A third person blamed the prices and the quality of the cooking for the closures.
The Reddit user wrote: ‘£20 for a microwaved burger and chips, that’s why.’
While a fourth simply stated: ‘Not surprised it is s***.’
A fifth former TGI’s fan explained why the restaurant chain had fallen out of favour with them: ‘I went last year, was a pre cinema tradition for my partner and I.
‘It was overpriced and expensive and we both said we wouldn’t go back after that because it just wasn’t worth it.’
A particularly nostalgic former fan, however, was more generous in their appraisal of the doomed chain.
Joining hundreds of other commenters on the Reddit thread, they explained: ‘When they opened where I grew up in the mid-90s, it was a kinda a mini-revolution.’
They elaborated: ‘There wasn’t anywhere that came close in what you got for your money and it was perfect for the whole family to have a meal out.
Praising the staff as ‘super attentive’ and acknowledging that staff ‘gave kids as much attention as the parents, the Reddit user nevertheless bemoaned the chain as ‘just not special any more’ in today’s competitive restaurant market.
Another Reddit user was far less generous when they commented: ‘Went to one for the first and last time around a year ago.
‘Quite possibly the most money I’ve paid for truly mediocre food. I’m sure it won’t be missed.’
TGI Friday’s opened its first UK restaurant in Birmingham in 1986, then another in London one year later
An eighth person was scathing in their appraisal: ‘Serving microwaved ready meals is fine if you charge Wetherspoons prices – TGI did this while charging restaurant prices. Who knew that that’s not sustainable.’
Others, however, were more measured in their assessment.
One person commented: ‘It’s a shame but they failed to modernise and find a decent place in the market. Went the way of Frankie and Benny’s really. Feel sorry for the staff more than anything else.
Yet the same person was quick to point out what they’ll miss about the TGI brand, adding: ‘I did remember they did this lethal slush puppy style cocktail though and that was lush af.’
MailOnline has contacted TGI Friday’s for comment.