TGI Fridays is worried it won't have enough cash if customers redeem $50 million in outstanding gift cards that don't expire

A man talks to customers sitting in a red TGI Fridays booth. (Credit: Salwan Georges/The Washington Post—Getty Images)

Restaurant chain TGI Fridays is experiencing a severe case of the Mondays. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, the chain is now contending with the expensive possibility of customers trying to redeem $49.7 million of gift cards that never expire.

The cards are a liability for the company trying to sell itself out of bankruptcy and likely unable to foot the bill for eight-figures worth of gift certificates—some of which date back to 2003, according to court filings.