logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
21m 7s

The Epic Mess at TGI Fridays

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL & GIMLET
About this episode

An iconic chain that became known for its fun cocktails and family dining, TGI Fridays has seen a sharp decline in recent years, leading to a bankruptcy filing in November. WSJ’s Heather Haddon explains the company’s unraveling and a former CEO talks about his plans to keep the chain alive.


Further Listening:

- Red Lobster's New CEO Plots Its Comeback 

- McDonald’s Wants To Offer Quality And Value. Can It Do Both? 


Further Reading:

- The Epic Mess at TGI Fridays 

- TGI Fridays Ex-CEO Blanchette to Take Over Chain’s Management 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Yesterday
The Healthcare Costs of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill
President Trump’s megabill cuts over $1 trillion in healthcare spending over the next decade, mainly from Medicaid. Experts project nearly 8.7 million fewer people covered by Medicaid, and hospitals face reduced payments and higher costs. WSJ’s Dominique Mosbergen reports on the ... Show More
20m 47s
Jul 8
Why Trump Pushed His Tariff Deadline
When President Trump paused most of his “Liberation Day” tariffs for 90 days last spring, the administration had hoped to cut dozens of trade deals. As trade advisor Peter Navarro put it, there could be "90 deals in 90 days." But as Trump’s deal deadline approached, it became cle ... Show More
19m 3s
Jul 7
AI Is Coming for Entry-Level Jobs
Artificial intelligence is shaking up business in a big way, and recent college graduates are feeling the pinch. WSJ’s Chip Cutter explores the new corporate philosophy emerging around hiring and explains how the promise of artificial intelligence is putting entry-level jobs on t ... Show More
19m 11s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2017
Jack in the Box Pops
Jack in the Box rises on news that it’s selling Qdoba. Olive Garden serves up strong results. And the Dow breaks another record. Jason Moser and Ron Gross discuss these stories and talk about some challenges with the Disney/Fox deal. The Godfather of Soul also makes an appearance ... Show More
21m 21s
Jul 2024
Debby Soo Talks Restaurant Week in NYC
OpenTable CEO speaks on this week's Restaurant Week in NYC and how that impacts her business with Bloomberg's Romaine Bostick and Scarlet Fu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
5m 53s
Aug 2024
Starbucks Ousts CEO and Taps Chipotle’s Brian Niccol as Boss
Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF. Bloomberg News Consumer Reporter Deena Shanker and Bloomberg Intelligence Senior Credit Analyst Jody Lurie discuss Starbucks ousting its chief executive officer and picking Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Brian Niccol ... Show More
39m 10s
Oct 2024
Why is fast food so expensive now?
There’s a growing shift in consumer sentiment about the fast-food industry. As inflation pushes menu prices steadily upward, more people are asking themselves if that weekly trip to Taco Bell, Wendy’s, or KFC is still worth the cost. ‘Fast Company’ senior editor Christopher Zara ... Show More
59m 13s
Apr 4
Pray for Hooters
The “breastaurant” filed for bankruptcy this week. Many say good riddance, but Peter Rothpletz explains why he’ll remember his “conversion therapy with a side of ranch” fondly. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ... Show More
28m 50s
Jan 2025
🏆 “Perfect Credit Score” — How to get one. Tesla’s new MAGA brand. Chili’s ate TGI Fridays.
Does the perfect 850 credit score exist?... It does, one man just got it, and we’ll tell ya how.Tesla has become a $45K MAGA hat… so we’ll explain the biggest pivot in branding.Chili’s restaurant stock surged 300% in the last year… thanks to its Great White Shark strategy.Plus, i ... Show More
22m 38s
Sep 2024
Riyaaz Amlani from selling Shoes to building Restaurant Chains at Impresario & expanding SOCIAL
On this episode of Cyrus Says , we have a Parsi bawa in the house, Riyaaz Amlaani, who’s an entrepreneur and restaurateur based in Mumbai, India. He is the CEO and MD of Impresario Handmade Restaurants and the former President of National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) fr ... Show More
1h 5m
Nov 2024
Top chef Ben Shewry on misogyny, critics and hot chips
Ben Shewry is one of Australia’s top chefs who’s behind the world renowned restaurant Attica. He started working at a local restaurant in New Zealand at just 10 years old after sending out letters pleading his case to become a chef. In his new memoir, Uses For Obsession, Shewry e ... Show More
36m 28s
Dec 2024
🤤 “Everything’s $3” — Matto’s crazy coffee. The CEO killer controversy. Louis Vuitton’s train bet.
The fastest-growing coffee chain in New York is Matto… because the $3 latte has a secret.The UnitedHealthcare CEO killer has been charged with murder… but it also revealed pent up frustration with healthcare.Louis Vuitton just acquired the Orient Express… because luxury trains ar ... Show More
21m 32s