TGI Fridays® Doubles Down on Global Expansion

TGI Fridays® Taps Franchise Power in Peru and Japan to Develop over 50 New Restaurants Under New Long-Term Development and Master Franchise Agreements

DALLAS, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sugarloaf TGIF Management, LLC ("Sugarloaf"), a privately held company and manager of the global TGI Fridays® brand, announced today the extension of franchise development and master franchise agreements with long-standing franchise partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co., Ltd., to expand TGI Fridays® presence throughout Peru and Japan. With agreements in place to develop over 50 new restaurants, these partnerships underscore Sugarloaf's commitment to TGI Fridays' global growth and confidence in the strength of the brand's international business.

Building on a legacy of over 60 years, TGI Fridays® continues to deliver fun, flavor, and bold experiences across nearly 40 countries. Backed by a franchise-first strategy and a business model built to flex — from flagship restaurants and hotel venues to airports and compact urban formats — the beloved brand is expanding quickly across the globe.

Since signing these global franchise agreements, TGI Fridays® has opened a new restaurant at Real Plaza Primavera in Lima, bringing its Peru footprint to 20 locations, and celebrated a new opening in Yokohama, Japan, strengthening its presence in the Kanto region.

Across Peru and Japan, TGI Fridays® has already grown to over 30 restaurants and now is strongly positioned to serve bold flavor, good times, and a shot of celebration to new cities across both territories. These long-term agreements with Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co., Ltd. will further ramp up growth as the company builds toward its goal to open 1,000 restaurants globally.

"TGI Fridays isn't just another casual dining brand — it's a proven, high-energy concept with cultural resonance and commercial edge," said Phil Broad, President of TGI Fridays® International Franchising. "The commitment of our partners in Peru and Japan reinforces the strength of our model, the passion of our operators, and the universal appeal of the TGI Fridays experience."

In Peru, franchise partner Diego Roca, Founder of Franquicias Alimentarias, is leading the charge — growing from just two locations to 20 and planning to develop up to 30 restaurants under this new agreement.

"TGI Fridays lets us bring energy, connection, and a sense of celebration to every table — and that's what keeps our teams inspired and our guests coming back," said Diego Roca, Founder of Franquicias Alimentarias. "What began with just two locations has grown into a nationwide brand presence. It's been a rewarding journey, both emotionally and commercially, and we're just getting started. This new agreement reflects our confidence in the brand and the appetite we see for TGI Fridays across Peru".

In Japan, where TGI Fridays® has carved out a leading position in the casual dining scene, a newly extended development and master franchise agreement positions the brand for aggressive growth into new trade areas with traditional and urban models. Across the country's dense city centers—where space is tight and rents are high— the brand is deploying a small-format footprint that preserves TGI Fridays' bar-forward theatre while optimizing the kitchen line and seating mix to lift throughput and productivity per square meter. The model is gaining momentum: Yokohama's Yamashitacho operates in just over 150 square meters and seats more than 70 guests at a time; Mariscal Sucre Airport in Quito, Ecuador operates a compact location in just over 100 square meters; and the beach container in Dubai, UAE delivers strong results at just 14 square meters.

"Watami Co., Ltd. is delighted to extend our partnership in Japan, and we are committed to grow the brand aggressively over the next five years," said Daisuke Suzuki, TGI Fridays® Brand Managing Director of Watami Co., Ltd. "We are passionate about TGI Fridays and have been buoyed by the demand that exists in our market for celebration with a flair. There are so many opportunities for the brand to grow rapidly in Japan, and we look forward to bringing the world's most recognized bar and grill to all corners of the country."

With a focus on occasion-driven demand, bar-forward formats, and a menu crafted to turn any moment — big or small — into a reason to celebrate, TGI Fridays® continues to redefine how the world dines, toasts, and connects. Because no matter where you are or what you are celebrating, it always feels like Friday.

For more information: www.tgifridays.com/franchise/

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About TGI Fridays®
Founded in 1965 as the world's first casual bar and grill, TGI Fridays® is where the world goes to celebrate. Operating nearly 400 restaurants in close to 40 countries, Fridays brings people together through its craveable American classics, legendary drinks and that unmistakeable Fridays feeling – all brought to life by its rockstar teams. Whether it's full-service dining or bold-format convenience, Fridays franchise-first approach, operational excellence, and brand power are built to scale. Visit www.tgifridays.com for more information and join Fridays Rewards.® Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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SOURCE TGI Fridays