The family-owned restaurant business will open its 12th New Jersey location at the former TGI Friday's building at Wayne Towne Center.
Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff
WAYNE, NJ — New Jersey-based Tommy's Tavern + Tap is expanding to a new location in Wayne Township, featuring the restaurant's signature open kitchen layout and U-shaped bar plus an outdoor patio.
Tommy's will take the place of TGI Friday's in Wayne Towne Center, a building which is about 7,000 square feet. The patio will be about 800 square feet.
The target date for opening is late June or early July, ownership told Patch.
First founded in Sea Bright back in 2015, Tommy's Tavern has 13 total locations and 11 in the Garden State right now, including one in Clifton.
Tommy's prides itself on having something for everyone, whether patrons are making a family outing or getting drinks. Menu items range from pizza to flatbreads to sushi, along with beer, wine and cocktails, and guests can watch their food be prepared from one of the three kitchens.
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The family of founder Thomas Bonfiglio still owns and operates the business, after he died in 2022 at the age of 62.
Bonfiglio also started the Triple T Hospitality Group, which owns all Tommy's restaurants, along with TIO Taco + Tequila Bar. Tim Selcov, CEO of Triple T Hospitality, told Patch that the team had been looking at opening a Wayne location "for some time."
"It has a strong demographic with a good mix of families and professionals," he said. "There is also a large daytime population leading to great lunch and happy hour crowds."
The high-visibility location, steady traffic in the center, and availability of guest parking also were a plus, he said.
Selcov said that crews completely gutted the interior and exterior of the building to make it consistent with their other locations. The bar can seat more than 40 people, and will have 20 beers on draft along with 20 televisions.
"We will also have over 200 interior dining seats as well an additional 50 in our outdoor patio," he said.
The township planning board still has to sign off on a sign variance and some minor building improvements, he added.
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