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The owner of eight T.G.I. Friday's in New Jersey has agreed to pay $500,000 and one year of state monitoring for duping customers into thinking they were buying high-end liquor, when in fact they were being served cheaper brands.

(Star-Ledger file photo)

TRENTON — The bar tab is due, and it's a doozy.

The owner of eight TGI Fridays in New Jersey that were accused of duping customers by serving cheap liquor in place of costlier brands has agreed to pay $500,000 and not contest the charges, state authorities said today.

The franchise owner, The Briad Group of Livingston, also said it would employ a state-appointed monitor through June 30, 2014, to watch over its watering holes and ensure that the restaurants comply with the law, authorities said.

If there are no additional violations, the state said, a five-day alcohol license suspension for each of the eight accused restaurants will be dismissed.

"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," acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said in a statement.

The Briad Group said in a statement that it has "fully cooperated" with state authorities and "redoubled our efforts to ensure that all of our restaurants adhere to Fridays’ extensive bar and beverage standards."

"We believe these actions will result in even higher customer satisfaction and a strengthened level of trust," the company added.

The corporate headquarters for TGI Fridays, based in Texas, said it was "satisfied satisfied that this settlement brings the issue to a close."

"Briad has recommitted to ensuring that all of its restaurants operate in accordance with our extensive bar and beverage practices and the high standards and values of the TGI Fridays brand," the company said in a statement.

Investigators with the New Jersey Division of Alcohol Beverage Control raided 13 of The Briad Group’s TGI Fridays locations in May as part of a statewide initiative called "Operation Swill," which targeted a total of 29 establishments.

Eight of Briad’s TGI Fridays locations were eventually charged, including those in West Orange, East Windsor, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Freehold, Marlboro, Hazlet and Linden. The investigation into the other establishments is continuing.

The operation — in which about 1,000 bottles were confiscated — revealed that bars and restaurants were re-filling premium brand liquor bottles with cheaper products, and then serving it to customers in an effort to boost profits.

In one case, authorities said, a bar mixed rubbing alcohol with caramel food coloring and served it as scotch. Another bar was accused of pouring dirty water into an empty bottle and passing it off as liquor. Neither bar was identified.

Authorities said Briad agreed to pay a $400,000 fine as well as $100,000 for investigative costs, in addition to updating employee training and inventory software. None of the money will be used as restitution for individual customers.

Weeks after the raid, two Monmouth County women filed a class-action lawsuit in state Superior Court in Mercer County accusing the group of cheating customers and seeking restitution as well as punitive damages. The case is pending.

The Briad Group bought its first TGI Fridays in New Jersey in 1993 and now owns 64 locations in seven states, according to its website.

The company also owns other establishments including Wendy’s, CUPS frozen yogurt, Zinburger and Burger Bar, the website said, as well as several hotels and The Promenade Shops in Clifton.

Star-Ledger staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

Operation Swill press conference 10 Gallery: Operation Swill press conference

RELATED COVERAGE

• TGI Fridays operator faces class-action suit for alleged alcohol-swapping scheme in N.J.

• Rubbing alcohol as scotch? N.J. officials release details of 'Operation Swill'

• Operation Swill: N.J. officials charge 29 bars with selling cheap liquor as premium brands

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