TGI Friday staff allegedly faced changed locks and closed doors this morning, only a day after a reported bailout deal for the restaurant.

According to trade union, Unite Hospitality there has been a mass immediate closure of TGI Friday restaurants across the UK today.

The union said the restaurant chain’s staff have been ‘furiously’ contacting them after they had been shut out of sites across the country and left in the dark over their jobs, or their next pay packet.

A post by the union on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “Mass immediate closures at TGI Fridays across the UK.

“Members have been furiously contacting us all morning in response to news that:

  • Staff have been shut-out of sites & padlocks changed.
  • Zero notice or redundancy consultation. Workers invited to head office zoom call with one hour’s notice.
  • Many members haven’t even received the invite. Workers haven’t even been told whether they will be paid!

“This is frankly appalling behaviour from an enormous multinational. Unite will be fully supporting our members as the situation develops & pursuing legal action as required.”

The news comes only a day after a reported deal to save the restaurants British operation and salvage more than 2,000 jobs.

Breal Capital and Calveton, which jointly own the upmarket restaurants business D&D London, were reportedly set to agree a deal to acquire the majority of TGI Fridays as early as today.

TGI Fridays has 87 sites across the UK and a 3,000 strong workforce.

According to  Chief Executive of TGI Fridays UK, Julie McEwan, the deal has gone through, saving 51 of the UK based restaurants. 

The American cocktail bar and restaurant has been acquired by Breal Capital and Calveton UK following the completion of a successful sale process through its acquisition vehicle Liberty Bar and Restaurant Group Limited.

Ms McEwan said: “The news today marks the start of a positive future for our business following a very challenging period for the casual dining sector as a whole. We look to the future with confidence that the TGI Fridays brand will continue to attract loyal and new guests.

“We are devastated for our colleagues who will be leaving TGIs and thank them for their loyalty and contribution during their time with us. We are doing everything possible to retain our team and support those impacted.

“We would like to thank our team and our loyal guests for supporting us during this transition. We are proud to serve millions of customers across the UK and are committed to continuing to evolve our proposition and to give our guests a great value for money experience that keeps them coming back to enjoy TGI Fridays time and again.”

A spokesperson for Breal and Calveton added: “We are delighted to be working with such an enthusiastic and committed Management Team to both modernise the business and capitalise on the heritage of this iconic Brand.”

Unite has been approached for further comment.