More than 1,000 UK staff at TGI Fridays will be made redundant despite a rescue deal struck by the owners of London restaurant group D&D.
They have acquired the British operator of the US-themed chain after its owners fell into administration last month.
The deal will save nearly 2,400 jobs at 51 restaurants, but administrator Teneo said 35 restaurants have closed with immediate effect.
TGI Fridays UK said it was working with landlords to save closed restaurants.
Chief executive Julie McEwan said: “We are doing everything possible to retain our team and provide support to those affected.”
She added that she was “devastated by the colleagues who are leaving TGI and grateful for their loyalty and dedication during their time with us.”
Buyers Breal Capital and Calveton UK already own restaurant chains Byron Burgers and Vinoteca and restaurant group D&D London.
A spokesman for the new owners said the company wanted to “modernize the business and capitalize on the heritage of this iconic brand”.
They added that the deal “retains a significant proportion of jobs and is expected to provide the stability and support businesses need to recover and grow”.
Restaurants saved are: Bluewater, Trafford Centre, Meadowhall, Aberdeen Union Square, Metrocentre, Basildon, Glasgow Fort, Milton Keynes Stadium, Braehead, Wembley, Birmingham NEC, Glasgow, Junction 27, Castleford, Lakeside Quay, Teesside, Bolton, Norwich , St Davids, Doncaster, Lakeside, Fareham, Liverpool One, Stevenage, White Rose, Cribbs Causeway, Lake Rushden, Stoke-on-Trent, South Hampton, Silverburn, Watford Centre, Aberdeen Beach, Braintree, Bournemouth, Stratford, High Wycombe, Cheshire Oaks, Walsall, Milton Cairns, Sheffield, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Coventry, Ashton-under-Lyne, Telford, O2, Staines, Crawley, Reading, Cheadle and Leicester Square.
Breal and Calveton struck the deal on Monday after TGI Fridays’ British owner Hostmore went bankrupt last month.
