TGI Friday’s, the iconic casual dining chain known for its lively atmosphere and American-style eats, is set to close its Hooper Avenue location in Toms River on Thursday, marking the end of an era for local fans. The closure reduces the chain’s footprint to just one remaining restaurant at the Jersey Shore, signaling a shrinking presence in the region.
The Toms River location, a long-standing staple for families, happy-hour enthusiasts, and late-night diners, will serve its final plates of loaded potato skins and signature cocktails this week.
While no official statement has been released by TGI Friday’s corporate office regarding the reason for the closure, the move comes amid a broader trend of restaurant chains reevaluating their brick-and-mortar portfolios in response to shifting consumer habits and economic pressures.
For Jersey Shore residents, the loss of the Toms River outpost leaves the chain’s sole survivor in the area, though its exact location wasn’t specified in the announcement. Regulars expressed a mix of nostalgia and disappointment upon hearing the news. “It’s sad to see it go,” said longtime patron Lisa Martens, who frequented the Hooper Avenue spot for years. “It was a go-to for birthdays and casual nights out. Now there’s one less place to gather.”
TGI Friday’s, founded in 1965 in New York City, has been a fixture of American dining culture for decades, though its footprint has shrunk in recent years as the casual dining sector faces stiff competition from fast-casual eateries and delivery-focused options. The chain has not yet indicated whether the closure is part of a larger strategic pullback or a one-off decision tied to the Toms River location’s performance.
Local employees affected by the closure were not available for comment, and it remains unclear whether staff will be offered positions at other TGI Friday’s locations. The Hooper Avenue site’s final day of operation is expected to draw a crowd of loyal customers looking to raise a glass—or a plate of mozzarella sticks—one last time.
As the Jersey Shore braces for this dining departure, the lone remaining TGI Friday’s in the region stands as a holdout for those still craving a taste of the chain’s signature flair. For now, Toms River residents will have to look elsewhere for their Friday’s fix—or make the trek to the last nearby outpost.