Women sue TGI Friday franchise on cheap liquor claims

• New Jersey officials%27 Operation Swill was yearlong investigation
• Liquor and records were confiscated at 29 bars%2C eateries -- including 13 TGI Friday%27s
• Bars are accused of filling bottles of premium liquors with cheaper brands

TRENTON, N.J. — Two women are throwing their drinks in the face of a TGI Friday's franchise accused of pouring cheaper liquor into premium bottles.

Kristie Pasieka and Nicole E. Ruglio, both of Cream Ridge, N.J., filed a class-action lawsuit against Livingston, N.J.-based Briad Restaurant Group, franchisee of 13 TGI Friday's restaurants caught up in the allegations from a yearlong series of sweeps the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control made that officials dubbed Operation Swill.

Briad operates 16 TGI Friday's locations in New Jersey.

Pasieka ordered a Grey Goose vodka drink in March at the TGI Friday's in Hamilton, N.J., but it didn't taste like her regular drink, said Stephen P. DeNittis, a Marlton, N.J., lawyer.

"She just thought ... maybe they didn't make it right," he said.

During a visit to the restaurant this past Halloween, Ruglio ordered a margarita with a high-end tequila at the same location and noticed a different taste, DeNittis said. Both women realized what had happened after they saw news reports last week on state officials' allegations against 29 restaurants and bars around the state.

"They were like, "Oh my God, we were just there,' " DeNittis said. The women want reimbursement for all customers who didn't get what they paid for and punitive damages of three times the price of each drink.

During the sweep, ABC officials confiscated about 1,000 open bottles of booze, which are being tested further. No administrative charges have been filed pending the outcome of the investigation. Penalties could include suspension or revocation of liquor licenses.

In addition to Hamilton, state officials have alleged violations at TGI Friday's locations in Clifton, East Hanover, East Windsor, Freehold Township, Hazlet, Linden, Marlboro, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Springfield and West Orange.

The lawsuit, filed May 24 here, alleges the practice was part of Briad Restaurant Group's "uniform policy and course of conduct," according to court papers.

The lawsuit claims "the Briad Group deliberately and methodically sought to inflate its profits from liquor sales by charging customers premium prices for allegedly premium liquor and then substituting a cheaper, cut rate brand for the premium liquor brand ordered by the customers."

"We have not yet reviewed the complaint and therefore are not clear on its merits," Rick Barbrick, president and chief operating officer of the Briad Restaurant Group, said in a statement. "However, we reiterate our ongoing mission to treat all of our patrons honestly and fairly and will continue to do what is right to fulfill that mission."

Last week, the company said it had started its own investigation to determine if any of the allegations are accurate.

"Based on what we learn, we will take the steps needed to correct any issues that are identified," Barbrick said.

Briad also has deployed more staff and technology so guests can be "confident in the quality of our food and drink," the statement said.