TGI Friday’s is a vanishing presence in Southern California.
The casual dining chain’s website currently lists five restaurants in California. Most other locations here have dropped from its website. Many of their Facebook pages have broken links. And several Yelp users have reported closures.
The chain is based in Texas and could not be reached for comment at press time. Emails also went unanswered.
According to news reports, including Bloomberg, TGI Friday’s is preparing for bankruptcy. The chain closed 36 restaurants in early January, but a Fresno restaurant was the only one in California.
Now, it no longer has a presence in the Inland Empire. Photocopied signs taped to the front door of the San Bernardino location thank customers for 39 years of great memories and direct them to locations in Orange County that are 50 to 60 miles away.
There is also no presence in San Diego County, although there are a couple of restaurants in Tijuana.
Remaining locations include a high-profile restaurant near the entrance to Knott’s Berry Farm, but it is closed Tuesday through Thursday. It is at 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park.
Others are in Hollywood, at 2005 N Highland Ave., Los Angeles; Orange, 3339 W Entertainment Ave.; Northridge, 19855 Rinaldi St.; and South Gate, 4701 Firestone Blvd.
The following restaurants are described as permanently closed on Google or have broken links to the TGI Friday’s website:
Corona, The Shops at Dos Lagos, 2795 Cabot Drive.
Rancho Cucamonga at Victoria Gardens, 7910 Kew Ave.
Riverside, Galleria at Tyler, 3487 Tyler Mall St.
San Bernardino, 390 E Hospitality Lane.
West Covina, Eastland Center, 2625 E Eastland Center Drive.
The website lists 164 restaurants total in the United States.
The chain has closed at least a dozen restaurants elsewhere in recent weeks, according to Restaurant Business Online. Closures have been reported in Colorado, Massachusetts and throughout the Northeast.
The chain was founded in Manhattan in 1965. It’s known for its cocktails, onion soup and loaded potato skins, which it claims to have invented.
Information: tgifridays.com
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