T.G.I. Friday's USA recently honored its top supplier partners at its annual Supplier Recognition Dinner during the company's business meeting at the Swan and Dolphin resort in Orlando, Florida on June 28, 2009.

"We are pleased to honor these exceptional supplier partners, all of whom excel in their respective roles for T.G.I. Friday's USA," said John Neitzel, president and chief operating officer of T.G.I. Friday's USA. "Their unique contributions to our business make T.G.I. Friday's restaurants a leader in the competitive marketplace of casual dining."

The awards and honorees included the following:

Vendor of the Year: Protein Solutions

Quality Excellence: T. Marzetti Company

Best New Vendor: John Morrell & Company

Dedication: Cargill Foodservice, Dressings, Sauces and Oils

Innovation: Sunrise Foods

Outstanding Service: Foodsource

Non-Food Vendor: Ecolab Pest Elimination

Jump Through Hoops: Ventura Foods

VP Strategic Sourcing Recognition Award: Simmons Prepared Foods

Maniacal Execution of Outstanding Service: The Boston Beer Company

Purposeful Innovation: Bacardi USA

Outstanding Cost Control: Beam Global

"Be The Brand": Derek Farley, DFPR

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., the parent company of TGI Friday's Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson, a world leader in the hospitality, travel and marketing industries. As of July 2009, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide owns, operates, franchises or licenses approximately 1,000 restaurants in 60 countries. For more information, visit http://www.fridays.com.