TGI Fridays will remain on UK high streets after a rescue deal was secured for News Today the restaurant chain - but more than 1,000 staff have lost their jobs.
Thirty-five restaurants are closing immediately after they were not included in the sale, resulting in 1,012 redundancies.
However, 51 sites have been rescued in the sale to Breal Capital and Calveton, a day after Sky News reported a deal was being finalised.
It means nearly 2,400 jobs have been saved across the chain.
Trade union Unite said on X that staff had been shut out of restaurants with padlocks on the doors changed, while others were invited to a video call with members of the head office with one hour's notice.
Other workers said they had not been told whether or not they will be paid, according to the trade union.
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Tap hereTGI Fridays' parent company Hostmore said it was filing for administration last month due to debt problems.