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In a decisive move that shakes up the leadership team of one of its biggest competitors,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tgifridays.com/franchise/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ray-blanchette-leaves-ruby-tuesday-to-become-tgi-fridays-ceo-2708044" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">TGI Fridays</a>&nbsp;announced the hiring of restaurant industry veteran Ray Blanchette as CEO&nbsp;on Tuesday. 

Blanchette left his role as CEO of rival full-service restaurant brand Ruby Tuesday after just nine months for the Fridays position, <a href="https://www.nrn.com/casual-dining/tgi-fridays-names-new-ceo?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ray-blanchette-leaves-ruby-tuesday-to-become-tgi-fridays-ceo-2708044" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">according to an article in Nation&rsquo;s Restaurant News</a>. Blanchette succeeds Aslam Khan, who was promoted to the role of vice chairman of the franchise brand. 

This is Blanchette&rsquo;s third&nbsp;executive role since being replaced as CEO of Ignite Restaurant Group in November 2015, <a href="https://www.restaurantbusinessonline.com/leadership/ray-blanchette-has-another-new-job-time-tgi-fridays-ceo?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=ray-blanchette-leaves-ruby-tuesday-to-become-tgi-fridays-ceo-2708044" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">according to Restaurant Business Online</a>. Prior to being hired at Ruby Tuesday in January 2018, the restaurant industry veteran had a 20-month stint as CEO of fast-casual chain Au Bon Pain. 
 
&ldquo;I started my career at TGI Fridays, where I worked for 18 years. I have great passion for this brand, and it is my dream job. As we move forward and continue our focus on being the best bar and grill in the world, I see great things ahead for our guests, team members and this company,&rdquo; Blanchette said in a statement.

TGI Fridays, Ruby Tuesday, CEO, Ray Blanchette

Ray Blanchette | New CEO of TGI Fridays | 1851 Franchise

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After just nine months in the same role at Ruby Tuesday, Blanchette made the jump to competing full-service restaurant franchise TGI Fridays.

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