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TGI Friday’s Is Planning a Big Comeback, While Denny’s Closes Up to 178 Locations
2025 has already been a tumultuous year for the retail landscape. And, it seems like restaurant chains are not immune to the highs and lows of business.
Two major restaurants, in particular, have been making headlines over the past few days. TGI Fridays, the struggling casual dining chain with 124 remaining locations throughout the U.S., may be resurfacing from bankruptcy thanks to a new intended acquisition by G5ive Restaurant Group. Meanwhile, beloved breakfast spot Denny's just announced it will be closing 150 locations nationwide by the end of the year. Here's everything you need to know about these two restaurants and their fate over the next few months.
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G5ive Restaurant Group Plans to Acquire TGI Fridays
In 1965, TGI Fridays (standing for "Thank God It's Friday!") debuted in New York City as a social cocktail club and restaurant. It was known for being the "first happy hour place for singles to mingle" and the creator of the loaded potato skin.
However, after growing to its biggest global footprint of 600 franchise and company-owned locations by 2008, the restaurant chain endured financial struggles and ended up filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy on November 4, 2024. At the time, owners TriArtisan Capital Advisors blamed the COVID-19 pandemic and their capital structure for their insurmountable debt.
These days, 124 locations of TGI Fridays remain in the U.S., but Cory Griffin, a Louisiana-based entrepreneur and founder of G5ive Restaurant Group, has announced plans to acquire the struggling chain through an ownership consortium.
"The creation of G5ive Restaurant Group is more than just a business venture; it’s a statement," Griffin said, according to Verdict Food Service. "By pursuing the acquisition of TGI Fridays, we are actively working to increase Black ownership in major restaurant franchises, building upon the success of Nicholas Johnson and demonstrating the immense potential within the African-American business community."
Griffin's big plans for TGI Fridays include revitalizing the brand with "innovative" new strategies, sustainable operations, and community engagement programs.
Denny's Closing Up to 178 Locations
JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
While things are looking up for TGI Fridays, the same can't be said for Denny's. The nationwide chain, dubbed as "America's Diner" and famous for its breakfast, revealed on February 12, 2025 that it's shrinking its footprint even more than previously announced.
According to USA Today, Denny's CFO Robert Verostek said 70 to 90 Denny's locations would shutter this year, in addition to 88 that already closed in 2024. Meaning: About 158 to 178 Denny's locations will be wiped from the list of 1,323 U.S. locations for good. This estimate is higher than the 150 locations Denny's announced would close back in October 2024.
Verostek and his colleague, Denny’s executive vice president and chief global development officer Stephen Dunn, explained that the Denny's locations on the chopping block (which have not been listed publicly) are underperforming, have leases set to expire, or are in outdated buildings that can't be saved by renovations. The brand itself has been around for 70 years and some of these locations are over 30 years old.
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"First thing I'll say it's never easy to close restaurants," Dunn said on the call, according to Newsweek. "It's a challenge and you work with external factors, landlords and the like, and of course, you're dealing with people's lives. But we've realized that closing underperforming restaurants is strategically advantageous to a number of our franchisees as it strengthens the bottom line cash flow for the long term."
In good news, along with the closures, Denny's plans to open 25 to 40 new restaurants, half of which will be Denny's acquired brand: Keke's Breakfast Cafe. These new locations have not been listed publicly yet.
Bayern Munich v Celtic LIVE SCORE, stream free as Schlupp starts with Maeda UP FRONT as Kane makes it for Bayern
IT’S all eyes on the Allianz Arena tonight as Celtic take on Bayern Munich with a shot at an almighty Champions League triumph.
Trailing by just a goal to the Bundesliga leaders thanks to Daizen Maeda’s late header last week, the Hoops have belief they could yet spring an upset.
And the big news from Germany tonight is that Harry Kane STARTS after an injury sweat over a facial injury for Munich, while Jeffrey Schlupp is preferred to Greg Taylor at left back with Jota introduced into the Hoops front three instead of Adam Idah.
Nicolas Kuhn insists Bayern won’t expect the tie to be over courtesy of Kane’s second half strike that split the teams after the first leg at Parkhead.
And captain Callum McGregor was adamant he and his team-mates would empty the tank to book a place in the next round against either Bayer Leverkusen or Atletico Madrid.
They’ll do it under the lights and in front of 75,000 fans – with the travelling support given a reprieve from Uefa after trouble on their last outing at Aston Villa.
- Celtic are taking on Bayern Munich TONIGHT on Tuesday, February 18.
- The match kicks off at 8pm UK time.
- It will be held at the Allianz Arena.
- Celtic’s trip to Bavaria is live on Amazon Prime Video.
- Coverage commences at 6.30pm – a full hour and a half before kick-off.
- Amazon Prime Video subscribers will be able to live stream the match.
- Highlights will also be available later on Tuesday night on TNT Sports.
- If you’re an existing Amazon Prime subscriber you’ll have access to live coverage of Tuesday’s game.
- There’s also a way of watching for free if you’re NOT already a subscriber – Amazon offer a 30-day free Prime trial before the monthly subscription kicks in.
- Bayern Munich XI: Neuer, Stanisic, Upamecano, Kim, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Goretzka, Olise, Musiala, Gnabry, Kane. Subs: Urbig, Sane, Coman, Dier, Palhinha, Davies, Ito, Boey, Vidovic, Müller, Laimer, Pavlovic.
- Celtic X: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Kühn, Maeda, Jota. Subs: Sinisalo, Bain, Scales, Taylor, Idah, Yang, McCowan, Nawrocki, Kenny, Murray, Ralston, Bonnar.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Jack Whitehall vows to return the Brits to their best ahead of presenting the 2025 awards
Jack Whitehall is returning to host the Brits because he had unfinished business after last fronting the awards as we emerged from lockdown.
The comedian is taking the reins for a fifth time after first doing so in 2018.
He felt that his run ended with a “whimper” because it was a socially distanced evening with no raucous behaviour.
Jack said: “The last show I did was in 2021, which had a fair few restrictions due to Covid.
“So it always felt like, due to circumstances beyond my control, I’d maybe gone out with a little bit of a whimper.
“I think the Brits 2025 is going to make up for that and be a really big night.
“When I first started out I was just like ‘Jack, don’t mess this up. This is such a big opportunity’. You don’t want to say the wrong thing and insult someone and then get taken off air.
“Then I got to a point where I was like, ‘It’s probably best now to not outstay my welcome’.
“And now, here I am, back again.”
It doesn’t sound like he will be knocking back many shots with Sam Fender or getting lairy with Sabrina Carpenter before showtime on March 1, though.
Jack added: “It’s quite zen backstage when I’m trying to get ready.
“I will probably be in there, just doing a sound bath or humming and trying to do some breath work to keep myself nice and calm.
“But then I go off like a coiled spring and bounce on to the stage.”
Zara is on shine form
Zara McDermott has taken the ultimate picture for her dating profile.
The newly single TV presenter wore a gold sequined skirt and green crop top on holiday in Dubai.
When she’s not making BBC documentaries, Zara is a keen singer and has got an amazing set of pipes on her.
She uploaded a video of her singing Billie Eilish’s L’Amour De Ma Vie to TikTok last week and absolutely nailed it.
If the telly work ever dries up, Zara could easily make it as a singer.
James takes trip to gig on Tube
James Blunt shunned a posh car in favour of taking the Tube to his O2 gig.
And by the looks of these snaps, not one person realised it was him. He went incognito on the Underground before playing to a crowd of 20,000.
I was there in London watching James on his Back To Bedlam 20th anniversary tour and he was on top form, revealing his debut album was conceived in a drug-fuelled haze.
He said: “I actually find it really hard to describe and come out like a normal human being.
“Because High, well, what do you f***ing think it’s about? There was an acid trip in Devon.”
Garrix on a 10-year Ibiza run
The world’s No1 DJ Martin Garrix is returning to Ibiza this summer to mark ten years of entertaining crowds at megaclub Ushuaia.
He will perform every Thursday from June 19 to September 25.
Martin said: “The first time I came to the island was back in 2012 and it’s felt like home ever since. This summer will mark ten years of my residency at Ushuaia Ibiza.
“A full decade, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Counting down the days now for the season to start, and I’ll bring some fun surprises.”
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy has broken the record for the best opening weekend for a romcom in the UK and Ireland, beating 2004’s Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason.
It made £11.8million in its first four days of release.
That surpassed the £10million the second movie made in the same period.
Zoe back in Radio 2 shake-up
Zoe Ball has announced her return to Radio 2 a couple of months after leaving the breakfast show.
The presenter is coming back to the airwaves from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday afternoons as part of a shake-up for the station’s weekend schedule, which will happen in May.
Mark Goodier’s Pick Of The Pops moves to 5pm to 7pm on Sundays, a slot that had been held by Rob Beckett, who has decided to step down.
He will leave the show in April, but will stay as a cover presenter. Rob said: “I’ve had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners.
“But as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I’ve decided to step away from a weekly show.
“You won’t get away from me that easily as I’ll be back presenting shows on Radio 2.”
I was bullied so much for my ‘Toucan’ nose that I spent 12 years saving £8.7k for surgery – it’s totally changed my life
A WOMAN has shared how she was bullied for her “Toucan” nose so decided to save up for a nose job – and the results have changed her life.
Devyn Aiken, 30, a paralegal in Philadelphia, shared a series of videos on TikTok about the procedure, which cost her £8,700.
Speaking to People, Devyn shared: “I was bullied a lot, especially in middle school, and it was just from guys.
“They would call me all type of mean names like bird, Toucan Sam, so much mean stuff … I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness. This is all they talk about — my nose. So if I change that, what can they talk about?'”
Thankfully she didn’t feel “ugly” but just that she had a “huge nose that I hated”, which she felt grew noticeably larger during her tween and early teen years.
She added: “The earliest I can remember wanting a nose job was 14. I asked my mum, ‘Can I have a nose job?”
Typically most doctors won’t operate on a face that isn’t developed yet, and Devyn said it took her years to save up for the surgery – which she admitted was a “straight-up vanity” project.
Deciding to take action at 30, she booked in for rhinoplasty with plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Ginsburg in November 2024 after researching numerous clinics.
In total it cost her $11,000 (£8,700), which she feels is well worth the money.
Devyn has now racked up 63,000 followers thanks to her TikToks documenting the journey.
Far from feeling any shame for getting surgery, she felt like an honest account of the recovery and results could be helpful to others.
Thankfully her family were supportive of her dream every step of the way and just wanted her to be happy.
Before the surgery, she recalls being ill with nerves and “vomited all night”, resulting in her sleeping on the bathroom floor.
Thankfully the surgery was a success, and although it’ll take a full year for her swelling to fully decrease, Devyn shared how it has already changed her life.
The earliest I can remember wanting a nose job was 14. I asked my mum, ‘Can I have a nose job?’
Devyn Aiken
She revealed: “I just feel so happy every time I look in the mirror. It’s literally life-changing … Now I can just shop in peace. I can go out in peace and I don’t have to worry if someone’s making a comment. I feel relieved.”
Two months on, Devyn also got lip filler to boost her confidence even more.
What are the risks of getting surgery abroad?
IT'S important to do your research if you're thinking about having cosmetic surgery abroad.
It can cost less than in the UK, but you need to weigh up potential savings against the potential risks.
Safety standards in different countries may not be as high.
No surgery is risk-free. Complications can happen after surgery in the UK or abroad.
If you have complications after an operation in the UK, the surgeon is responsible for providing follow-up treatment.
Overseas clinics may not provide follow-up treatment, or they may not provide it to the same standard as in the UK.
Also, they may not have a healthcare professional in the UK you can visit if you have any problems.
Source: NHS
And it seems her followers have been equally impressed with her new look.
One person wrote under one of her transformation videos: “You look amazing! I completely understand why you had it done.”
Another added: “It looks so good & so natural. You’re beautiful, before & after.”
In the UK, rhinoplasty costs £4,000-£7,000 and there were around 1,950 procedures in 2023.
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“Barack is f**king Jennifer Aniston”: Barack-Michelle Obama Split Rumor Spreads Like Wildfire Despite FRIENDS Star Calling It “Absolutely untrue”
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“I suppose I could go back and kill old Patrick Stewart”: Star Trek Legend Revealed Fans Never Forgave Him for What He Did to William Shatner
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