A CLASSIC American restaurant has opened its doors after months of preparation.

Bringing the promise of 80 new jobs, the Middlebrook retail park has been awaiting the grand opening of TGI Fridays since the famous chain announced it was moving in at the end of last year.

After opening two weeks ago, the fledgling location has had a flying start.

The opening of the new store is a first for restaurant manager Jonathan Grimshaw, 36.

Though he has been with the brand for 15 years, the Bolton branch is the first opening he's overseen.

Now he is in charge of making the new spot a success.

He said: "It's been going very well, better than we expected! Eighty per cent of people that have responded with reviews so far have had a great time."

Mr Grimshaw welcomed his new staff and customers in a traditional TGIs fashion — complete with celebratory champagne. He said: "On the first day for the first guests, it was a lovely couple, they signed their names and we put a picture of them on the wall. They'll be there forever! They also got their meal for free."

Looking forward to the future for the branch, Mr Grimshaw said the team wants to keep a steady pace.

He said: "It's about making sure we've got a happy team so we've got happy guests. We're definitely ahead of where we thought we'd be. In two or three weeks, we'll be at 100 per cent."

TGI Fridays is the latest chain to move to Middlebrook, following the likes of Card Factory, Tapi Carpets and the region's first Thomas Cook Discovery Store in late 2018.