NJ Liquor Switch Briad Group Settles Admits No Wrongdoing

At the beginning of June, “Operation Swill” – a yearlong investigation by the New Jersey Division of Alcohol Beverage Control - made headlines when it came to light that more than two dozen bars and TGI Friday’s had been accused of switching out top brand liquor for cheaper alternatives. The bars were accused of deceiving customers by serving bottom-shelf, lower quality drinks under the guise of higher quality liquor. In one case, it was alleged that dyed rubbing alcohol had been used instead of whisky.

On Wednesday, eight TGI Friday’s operated by the Briad Group agreed to settle, paying $500,000 to the state and agreeing to a Guest Satisfaction Assurance Plan designed to ensure future violations are prevented. The branches are in West Orange, East Windsor, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Freehold, Marlboro, Hazlet and Linden.

The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing.

The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing. The remaining restaurants, not part of the Briad Group, remain under investigation.

The original operation involved extensive testing, with state investigators collecting samples from 63 licensed bars. The investigation began after consumers began to complain and an insider alerted authorities to certain discrepancies with the liquor. Testing of more than 150 samples of unmixed liquor revealed than 30 were being sold under the wrong label. The drink samples were tested using a True Spirit Authenticator in what is thought to be the first use of the machine in the U.S. Further testing by brand manufacturers confirmed the state’s findings.

New Jersey’s Acting Attorney General, John Hoffman, seemed pleased by the settlement.

"This fine should send a clear message to every bar and restaurant throughout New Jersey that customers should get what they pay for every time without exception," he said in a statement released on the Department of Law and Public safety’s website. “Drink substitution threatens the integrity of the alcoholic beverage industry, and retailers, wholesalers and customers all lose because of this illegal activity,” he added. “The financial penalty imposed on Briad should serve as a deterrent to licensees, and we are optimistic that the corrective actions taken by Briad will prevent any further deceptive practices.”

The operation remains ongoing.