Popular Chain, Now with Only 2 MN Spots, Eyes Big Comeback

Minnesota is home to the most popular retail chains in America including Walmart and Target. We’ve got America’s favorite gas station and America’s favorite steakhouse chain too.

The biggest chains in Minnesota are restaurants and you might think McDonald’s has the most locations, but you’d be wrong. The top chain restaurant in Minnesota actually has twice as many spots as Mickey Ds. See the companies that have the most locations in Minnesota at the bottom of this story.

The restaurant industry is very difficult though even the most popular chains face challenges that can put them out of business.  A good example is TGI Fridays, a fast-casual restaurant that at its peak in 2008 had over 600 locations across the United States. Today, that number has dropped to just 89.

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ALSO READ: GUY FIERI NAMES HIS 5 FAVORITE MINNESOTA RESTAURANTS

I haven't been to a Fridays in ages. The food's a bit of a blur, but I definitely remember some good times at their happy hour.

The company has changed 85% of it's menu and added several new foods and cocktails in an attempt to attract new customers, reenergize the brand, and hopefully open new locations.

Currently, there are only two TGI Fridays in Minnesota.

• TGI Fridays Bloomington, MN - 2201 Killebrew Dr
• TGI Fridays Maple Grove, MN - 11830 Fountains Way

RESTAURANT NEWS: ONCE POPULAR FAST FOOD CHAIN ONLY HAS ONE MN LOCATION.

The new menu items at Fridays aren't the only things customers will notice. The company is dedicating its focus to quality. Fox 9 reports, "The company is returning to practices like hand-breading chicken, hand-cutting steaks and making sauces from scratch – replacing store-bought versions that often contain stabilizers"