TGI Fridays names new CEO
TGI Fridays has ended its search for a new chief executive in-house.
The casual dining chain named Brandon Coleman, 40, as CEO. He succeeds Ray Blanchette who stepped down in May after leading the company since 2018. Rohit Manocha, co-founder and chairman of TGI Fridays majority owner TriArtisan Capital Partners, has been serving as interim CEO.
Coleman joined TGI Fridays in October 2022 as global chief marketing officer. In March 2023, he was named president U.S. and global chief marketing officer.
Prior to joining the company, Coleman served as chief marketing officer of Dave & Busters. Before that, he held various leadership roles at Del Frisco's Restaurant Group, and was chief marketing officer of Romano's Macaroni Grill. From 2013 to 2016, he served as CEO and management consultant for Brava Partners, a consulting group focused on branding and business strategy.
TGI Fridays said it conducted an extensive search among internal and external candidates, led by the global executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.
"Since first coming to the company as our chief marketing officer, following a storied career in the restaurant industry, Brandon has been driving greater relevance and stronger connection with today's consumers, said Manocha. “TriArtisan Capital Partners believes in the future of TGI Fridays and we know what it takes for this restaurant to win. We are thrilled to continue this journey and we are confident that Brandon is the
According to a company release, Coleman will lead, revitalizing the brand to position it as a growing market leader in the rapidly evolving food and hospitality industry, including domestic and international restaurant expansion.
“TGI Fridays is entering a new era of growth and prominence that will build on our beloved tradition and the emotional connection of great food and drinks along with the fun and entertainment that only TGI Fridays can do,” Coleman stated. “I am looking forward to working with our franchisees and our company-owned restaurants to lead TGI Fridays into a new chapter.”
TGI Fridays operates and franchises over 650 restaurants across 52 countries. The company saw total system wide sales of $1.6 billion in 2022 with same US sales growing at 8% compared to 2019 (pre-pandemic).
The company announced its most significant deal in September of last year, consisting of 75 new franchised restaurants to be opened throughout South and Southeast Asia over the next 10 years.