The manager of the bulk of TGI Fridays’ restaurants around the world has swooped to buy its British operations in a deal which preserves all 2,000 jobs at the chain.
Sky News first reported that Sugarloaf TGIF Management, run by former TGI Friday’s chief executive Ray Blanchette, has struck a deal to take control of nearly 50 UK sites.
Industry sources said the deal was likely to be announced within days.
The transaction will see TGI Fridays’ UK arm form part of a growing international consolidation of the brand under Mr Blanchette.
The British chain, which employs just over 2,000 people and is said to have a strong booking pipeline for the crucial festive trading period, was sold just over a year ago to investment firms Calveton UK and Breal Capital.
The chain now operates from roughly the same number of restaurants as it did a year ago.
Despite the demands of running a rapidly expanding company, Choudhary has learned to find balance, something he didn’t always have. These days, he’s an early riser, front-loading his weekdays with office work before spending afternoons on-site visits and store builds.
Evenings are reserved for football and gym sessions, and weekends are kept for family. “Sunday lunch at my mum’s house—that’s the recharge,” he says with a smile.
Among his proudest milestones is winning an international franchise of the year award earlier in his career, besting competitors across 30 markets, but he’s just as proud of The Sushi Co’s present trajectory. He said: “It’s been incredible to watch it grow. And we’re only getting started.”
When asked what advice he’d give his younger self, Choudhary was quick to reply: “Learn to walk before you run. There are no shortcuts. Move with care, build the right team, and think everything through.”
For prospective franchisees eyeing entry into the booming sushi space, The Sushi Co is currently welcoming applications.
Choudhary says: “We’re looking for experienced QSR and business professionals ready to invest in a proven, fast-growing concept. This is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the casual dining market, and we’re here to lead it.”
As The Sushi Co expands across the UK, Choudhary is showing that scale doesn’t have to mean compromise. With handcrafted sushi at its core and a franchise model built on training, quality, and support, he’s not just growing a brand, he’s setting a new standard for what fast-casual dining can deliver.
