TGI Fridays gives free meals to some federal workers for two weeks. What to know
Some airport workers can get free meals from TGI Fridays during the government shutdown.
Those workers include Transportation Security Administration agents and air traffic control workers, the fast-casual restaurant chain said in an Oct. 8 news release.
“TSA and air traffic control workers keep our country moving, and we wanted to do our part to support them,” CEO Ray Blanchette said in the release.
Qualifying federal workers can order one free meal a day from Oct. 9 until Oct. 23 “while supplies last or until the shutdown is lifted,” the restaurant chain said.
“At traditional TGI Fridays restaurant locations, meals are available for guests to enjoy inside restaurants with valid ID. At airport locations, meals will be available for to-go orders only,” the company said.
Meals include:
- Cheeseburger with fries
- Chicken Fingers with fries
- Crispy or grilled chicken sandwich with fries
- Chicken Caesar salad
The government shut down Oct. 1 when Congress did not reach a funding agreement, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers without pay.
But some federal workers are essential workers, meaning they have to continue to work without pay, including TSA agents and air traffic control workers.
Find your nearest TGI Fridays location here.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 1:13 PM with the headline "TGI Fridays gives free meals to some federal workers for two weeks. What to know."
