20/05/2025 22:48
THE top boss of TGI Fridays has dished out the details on the chain’s upgraded menu, including one item that he is especially excited for fans to get a taste of.
As the once iconic happy hour spot recovers from bankruptcy, it has rolled out 11 new menu items under its turnaround strategy – and prices start at just $5.
The restaurant industry is struggling under pressures such as inflation and shifting consumer preferences, pushing chains to pull out all the stops to impress diners.
TGI Fridays, the brand that introduced America to the singles bar concept, has seen its fair share of financial troubles – from its bankruptcy filing last fall to its sharp decline in restaurant count.
As part of its forward-looking strategy and plan to woo back consumers, the world famous happy hour chain scrapped 85% of its menu in a huge shakeup.
The U.S. Sun spoke exclusively with TGI Fridays’ top boss Ray Blanchette, who was named CEO of the company in April, about the reimagined menu filled with innovative bites and sips.
MOUTHWATERING MOVES
The iconic restaurant-bar chain’s reworked menu launched at all of its roughly 85 remaining US locations on May 13.
The menu overhaul, featuring a variety of cravable options, is an effort to maintain TGI Fridays’ iconic legacy while modernizing the casual dining experience for diners.
“The new menu is a tribute to TGI Fridays’ roots as an innovator that raises the bar with bold, unapologetic food that guests feel excited about when they gather together and celebrate,” Blanchette told The U.S. Sun.
The CEO said that, while the company was excited about the whole new menu, TGI Fridays’ upgraded mozzarella sticks “stand out.”
The chain is credited with helping to popularize mozzarella sticks sticks in the 1980s when it introduced them as an appetizer, and has now rolled out an upgraded version that comes “sauced” in three bold, new flavors.
Blanchette also expressed his excitement for the new signature “Power Pour” cocktails, saying that the revamped beverages “really show off our celebratory vibe.”
“They are a shoutout to Fridays’ legacy as the world’s first cocktail bar, but with a new, modern twist, using fresh fruit and two ounce pours of premium liquor,” said the CEO.
While diners can expect the new menu items to be priced on par with market rates, per Blanchette, he emphasized that TGI Fridays would always have “amazing deals” for its customers.
The executive pointed towards the restaurant chain’s famous TGIF $5 happy hour specials, which includes a selection of cocktails and drinks as well as delicious bar bites like the new mozzarella sticks.
Blanchette also noted TGI Fridays’ specially priced Meal Deals, which come with an entree, side, and drink, starting at just $9.99.
Fans can choose from a list of 10 meals, featuring a mix of classic favorites and innovative dishes:
- 6 oz Sirloin
- Friday's Big Ribs
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Sandwich
- Crispy Chicken Fingers
- Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Whiskey-Glazed Chicken Slammers
- Buffalo Chicken Slammers
- Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Salmon
- Cheeseburger
FRIDAYS EVOLVED
TGI Fridays’ reworked menu features a curated selection of items that the chain hopes will lure in loyal fans.
In tweaking the menu, Blanchette aimed to make "no regrets moves," doing so by emphasizing an innovative yet modern approach to the items its fans are familiar with – notably appetizers, meats, and cocktails.
The struggling casual dining chain, however, has also taken strides to attract a new demographic of diners – Gen Z – who tend to crave new and unique flavors.
“Gen Z customers have a high ‘food IQ,'” said the CEO. “They are interested in bold flavors and unique ingredients, and they value quality.”
TGI Fridays New Menu
TGI Fridays fans can expect a mouthful of bold flavor with the chain's revamped menu, which features a variety of new options.
Bites:
- Big Queso Energy Burger: This messy meal comes with lettuce, pico de gallo, roasted jalapeños, cheddar cheese, poblano queso and a side of even more queso.
- Loaded Tots: This leveled-up app now comes fully loaded with bacon, cheese, green onions and the chain's new TGI Sauce.
- TGI Sauce: This is an all-purpose signature sauce the chain describes as "creamy & tangy with a sweet-smoky kick."
- Mozzarella Sticks: This item can now come sauced in three different flavors: RedHot Buffalo, Garlic Parmesan and the Fridays-only Whiskey Glaze. Customers can also opt for the Original with all three sauces on the side.
Beverages:
- The eL.I.T.e: This mega-sized beverage is a Long Island iced tea and Lemonade hybrid featuring Smirnoff vodka, New Amsterdam gin, Captain Morgan Spiced rum, Grand Marnier, lemonade and a splash of Coca-Cola.
- Jack's New Fashioned: This cocktail features Jack Daniel's whiskey, torched sugar, Angostura bitters and black cherry, and is topped with a cherry.
- Fri-Yay Rita: This "sweet, sour and a little bit salty" drink combines Patrón Silver tequila, Fridays' own agave sour, a splash of Grand Marnier, a half-salt rim and a lime squeeze.
- Turbo Toro: This bold beverage takes Patrón Silver tequila, blue curaçao, lime juice, passion fruit and adds a full can of Red Bull Tropical.
- Tito's Thunderbolt: Described as the "jolt you didn't know you needed," this drink has Tito's Handmade Vodka, lemonade and Owen's Transfusion Mix, over ice and topped with lemon.
- The Late Checkout: This beachy beverage features Bacardi Gold rum, Chambord, passion fruit, lemonade and a splash of grenadine, all over ice.
- Strawberry Henny: This drink combines Hennessy V.S, Grand Marnier and fresh strawberry purée, and is topped with a sliced strawberry.
Source: Today
Blanchette explained that the company took into account three core areas with the menu overhaul.
“Our new menu features new twists on classic dishes and doubles down on the quality of the ingredients – fresh, flavorful, and with attention to the cooking process, like hand-breading, and the presentation for that wow factor.
“We pride ourselves on food that is impressive and suited for life’s celebrations.”
While Gen Z’s unique taste buds were front of mind when thinking up the new menu, the CEO noted that TGI Fridays was also working to attract Millennials as a key demographic.
Our new menu features new twists on classic dishes and doubles down on the quality of the ingredients – fresh, flavorful, and with attention to the cooking process, like hand-breading, and the presentation for that wow factor.”
Ray Blanchette
“We are also appealing to Millennials who are having families and want a place where they can bring their kids, where the environment is a little louder, a little more fun,” said Blanchette.
“They can still enjoy a nice cocktail and a good meal and cater to the children too.”
TASTEFUL TWEAKS
TGI Fridays’ menu upgrades and new target markets reflect the company’s efforts to modernize while keeping in touch with its roots.
The company’s original target audience was single people in their twenties and thirties, with TGI Fridays functioning as a casual bar and restaurant where young adults could socialize.
The restaurant chain has since expanded its reach, working to attract younger consumers as well as families.
TGI Fridays has been employing different marketing tactics to connect with consumers who are young and looking for new experiences.
One way the chain is doing so is by engaging with and attracting diners via social media instead of traditional TV ad campaigns.
TGI Fridays’ strategic shifts highlight a growing trend among restaurant brands of refreshing their identities to stay relevant.
For example, a beloved breakfast chain has made three huge changes and is going all in on “convenient” dining.
Meanwhile, a burger joint confirmed a huge recipe shakeup – and diners will notice that three fan favorites taste different.
