A TGI Fridays franchisee in New Jersey has to pay $500,000 after selling cheap booze as top-shelf liquor at its establishments.

The Livingston, NJ,-based company was fined for passing off the low-end liquor at eight of its restaurants.

They were raided as part of an investigation called “Operation Swill.”

The state attorney general said yesterday that the fine should send a message that customers should always get what they pay for.

As part of the settlement, the company agreed to employ a state-appointed monitor to make sure all its liquor is legit.

The fine includes $400,000 for the violations and $100,000 to cover investigative costs for Operation Swill.

One Fridays mixed rubbing alcohol and food coloring and sold it as scotch. Another filled premium liquor bottles with dirty water.

The eight restaurants included in the settlement are in West Orange, East Windsor, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Freehold, Marlboro, Hazlet and Linden.

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