TGI Fridays plans smaller restaurants for Japan expansion

The brand recently extended its franchise agreements in Japan and Peru.

TGI Fridays is rolling out small-format restaurants in Japan, adapting to dense city centres where space is limited and rents are high, following announcements of extending its franchise development and master franchise agreements.

The group said its small-format restaurants are proving successful, maintaining TGI Fridays’ bar-forward style while streamlining kitchens and seating to boost productivity; examples include Yokohama’s Yamashitacho at just over 150 square metres with 70 seats, Quito Airport at 100 square metres, and a 14-square-metre container in Dubai.

Watami Co., Ltd., the master franchisee for TGI Fridays in Japan, said they plan to aggressively expand the brand in the next five years.

Meanwhile, Sugarloaf TGIF Management, LLC (Sugarloaf), a privately held company and manager of the global TGI Fridays brand, also announced that it will expand its master franchise agreement with Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. in Peru.

Sugarloaf said agreements are in place to develop over 50 new restaurants with both Japan and Peru master franchisees.