Seven TGI Fridays in New Jersey have abruptly closed their doors to customers, citing “underperformance.”

According to a statement made by the franchise, 36 underperforming locations across the nation were closed “as part of the brand's ongoing growth strategy.”

One of the shuttered locations is in Hackensack, where former kitchen manager Roxanne Meneghin was picking up some items Thursday evening. She was on site when her team was informed the location would be closing on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

“It was sad. A lot of the kids that came in were crying,” said Meneghin. “My opening cook came in and I told him if you want to stay, help us pack things up, you will get paid. He started to and then he stopped. He just couldn’t do it.”

Meneghin, who started with the franchise nine years ago as a server, has worked at various locations. She was only scheduled to work at the Hackensack location until next Tuesday and had a feeling they would be closing soon.

She’s been relocated to the Yonkers TGI Fridays.

“I start on Tuesday. The GM that’s here is actually the GM that’s going to be GM there. She’s been going there for the last week,” said Meneghin. “So we’re staying together, which is a great thing. We were really hoping that would happen.”

According to the press release, “TGI Fridays is offering more than 1,000 transfer opportunities, which represents over 80% of total impacted employees.”

“There are other managers in other locations that I know that didn’t get an opportunity to stay with the company,” said Meneghin. “It’s tough for everybody. I have a really good crew here. The cooks were awesome. I had two cooks that were here for 20 years.”

Eatontown, New Jersey: 180 NJ-35 Ste. 6000, 07724

Hacksensack, New Jersey: 411 Hackensack Ave., 07601

Iselin/Woodbridge, New Jersey: 401 Gill Ln., 08830

Malrton, New Jersey: 970 Rte. 73 N., 08053

Princeton, New Jersey: 3535 US-1 #275, 08540

Springfield, New Jersey: 40 US-22, 07081

Wayne Town Center, New Jersey: 71 Route 23 South, 07470