Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., parent company of T.G.I. Friday's® restaurants, was recently recognized by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence for the third consecutive year for displaying outstanding leadership in the business community.

"It is an honor to have our company recognized consistently with the Workplace Excellence Award," said Anne Varano, senior vice president of human resources and communication for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide. "This honor is a testament to our company's leadership and our goal of making T.G.I. Friday's a great place for great people to do great work."

The Workplace Excellence Award was created to recognize visionary employers that are paving the way to a workplace where men and women are able to experience professional fulfillment, success and personal wellness at work, home and in the community. Alliance for Workplace Excellence is a non-profit organization, funded by Montgomery County, Md. and corporate sponsors, that strives to recognize excellent places to work throughout D.C. To be considered for the award, businesses were required to complete a rigorous assessment process led by an Independent Review Panel.