Company Man asks 'The Decline of TGI Fridays...What Happened?' A tale of the Retail Apocalypse

I'm taking a break from election results to revisit what I wrote what I wrote four years ago: "In addition to Denny’s and Applebees, the report named The Cheesecake Factory, Outback Steakhouse, TGI Fridays, and IHOP as restaurant chains at risk of filing for bankruptcy as a result of the pandemic." The pandemic may have officially ended last year, but it's still having an effect, as Company Man Mike explains while he asks and answers The Decline of TGI Fridays...What Happened?

TGI Fridays has filed for bankruptcy. This video looks back at the company's history while trying to identify five of the biggest reasons behind its decline.

Here's Company Man Mike's list.


At least Company Man Mike isn't listing private equity, which I last discussed in 'Bankrupt - 99 Cents Only Stores' by Bright Sun Films, a tale of the Retail Apocalypse, as one of the reasons for the decline of TGI Fridays. Also, I found it perversely refreshing that three of the causes for failure were concepts that TGI Fridays pioneered and originally reasons for its success before its competitors followed their examples and the trends played out. On the other hand, I can see how the rise of fast casual did in casual dining restaurants like TGI Fridays and Ruby Tuesday. I haven't gone to a TGI Fridays or Chili's since the Great Recession, a Ruby Tuesday since my wife and I ate in one when we drove to Mt. Pleasant in April 2015, and an Applebee's shortly after that. On the other hand, I ate regularly at Panera until just before the pandemic and would still do so given the opportunity.

That's the latest about the Retail Apocalypse for now, although I stand by my opinion that "I feel like no bankrupt company's story is fully told until both Company Man Mike and Jake Williams of Bright Sun Films have weighed in." Should Jake follow through with a video of his own, I'll post it here. In the meantime, stay tuned for a follow-up to John Oliver on corn for National Food Day about the winners of the Environmental Media Association (EMA) Awards then a special election edition of highlights of tomorrow night's Saturday Night Live.