2 years ago today, TGI Fridays declared bankruptcy. Now, its CEO says the company never thinks about it.

TGI Fridays' CEO said the company is focusing on its franchisees rather than its bankruptcy filing. Chris Ison/PA Images via Getty Images

Two years after TGI Fridays' former corporate entity filed for Chapter 11 protection, the casual-dining brand is pitching itself as a comeback story.

Ray Blanchette , the CEO of TGI Fridays and the founder of Sugarloaf Hospitality, which owns and franchises the brand, told Business Insider that the company is seeing "a resurgence of the brand."

"The consumer is now beginning to re-recognize that casual dining has inherent value," he said.

Blanchette, who returned as CEO in January 2025 after working as a full-time franchisee, also said the chain is focused on supporting franchisees and helping them to grow their businesses.

"The turnaround only works if our franchisees are healthy, period," he said.…