The iconic TGI Fridays on Miami Beach, a casual dining staple for over three decades, has unexpectedly closed. Located at 500 Ocean Drive, the restaurant's website now states that it is permanently closed. The closure took effect yesterday, leaving over 30 former employees uncertain about their future, as many planned to report for their shifts the same day of the announcement without prior notice, according to Local 10.
The timing of the layoffs, just before the holiday season, added to their discontent. A Reddit user shared their discovery, stating, "All they did was put a piece of paper on the door that says temporarily closed," as noted in an article by The Sun. This brief notice offered little comfort to the over 30 employees now facing an unexpected job loss.
The closure of the Ocean Drive location ends an era for TGI Fridays in Miami Beach and reflects a larger trend for the chain. Earlier this year, they announced the shutdown of at least 36 underperforming restaurants nationwide. However, the company is committed to its workers, offering over 1,000 transfer opportunities to more than 80% of affected employees, according to CEO Weldon Spangler.
This closure is part of a series of shutdowns for the dining chain, including seven locations closed in May and several others across 10 states earlier this month. The Northeast was particularly affected, with closures in New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia, according to The Sun. The Southeast and Midwest also faced shutdowns, with TGI Fridays closing in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and two locations in Minnesota. At its peak, the franchise had nearly 270 U.S. locations, but that number has significantly decreased in recent months.
For those wanting to experience TGI Fridays in Miami, the only remaining location is inside Miami International Airport.
