Another wave of closures is hitting TGI Fridays.

For a third time this year, the casual dining chain abruptly closed dozens of locations, including several more in New Jersey. Over the past week, TGI Fridays went dark in Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, North Brunswick, Piscataway and Watchung.

It’s unclear how many employees are impacted.

Besides New Jersey, the Dallas-headquartered chain reportedly shuttered about 50 restaurants in New York, Ohio and California in recent days, Restaurant Business reported.

When the company announced plans in January to shut down “underperforming locations,” it said the move was part of a play to bolster finances and streamline operations. Since then, TGI Fridays’ footprint has dropped from about 269 U.S. locations to approximately 150 outposts nationwide.

Locally, the brand’s restaurants in Hackensack, Wayne, Iselin/Woodbridge, Eatontown, Springfield, Princeton and Marlton/Evesham closed as part of the initial round. Over the past few months, locations in Franklin, East Brunswick and Old Bridge also shuttered.

The franchise continues to operate in Manahawkin, Linden, Turnersville, Burlington Township, West Orange, Toms River, East Windsor and Brick.

Slowing sales

The latest spate of closures comes as TGI Fridays is reportedly preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the coming weeks in Texas. 

Sources familiar with the company’s plans pointed to rising interest rates, heavy debt and increased competition as the biggest challenges for the brand, Bloomberg reported.

Founded in New York City nearly 60 years ago, TGI Fridays evolved from a laid-back singles bar into a popular chain with locations around the world.

However, as consumers shift away from legacy casual dining brands, TGI Fridays is facing a slowdown in sales. As a result, it has closed half of its U.S. locations over the past decade, Restaurant Business noted.

The owners of Blue Star Shopping Center in Watchung and Somerset Shopping Center in Bridgewater also filed lawsuits against the company over back rent, according to mycentraljersey.com.

The newspaper reported that the Watchung location owes $95,276 for a lease that expires in April 2027; the Bridgewater location owes $71,487 on a lease that expires in November 2027.

Levin Management Corp., leasing/management agent for the Bridgewater and Watchung properties, declined to comment, citing ongoing legal matters.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:26 p.m. ET Oct. 28, 2024, to clarify that Levin Management Corp. is the leasing/management agent for only the Bridgewater and Watchung properties and had no comment regarding the lawsuits.

Other restaurant closures:

• Red Lobster

Retailers shuttering shops:

• CVS
• Buybuy Baby
• Walgreens
• Big Lots
• Ron Jon Surf Shop
• Salt Life
• LL Flooring
• Blink Fitness
• Stop & Shop
• Bob’s Stores
• Sam Ash
• Express
• Rite Aid