Carrollton, Texas—Nov. 24, 2004 – T.G.I. Friday’s Human Resources team received a People and Performance Award (PAPA) for recruitment at the 2004 Annual Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators conference in Los Angeles, Calif. on October 5, 2004. Anne Varano, senior vice president of human resources and communications for Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent company of T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants, accepted the award on behalf of the team

The People and Performance Awards (PAPA), sponsored by Coca-Cola North America, honor multi-unit restaurant chains in employee recruitment, retention and recognition. Selected by the editorial staff of Nation’s Restaurant News along with the PAPA Advisory Board, winners excel in their human resources efforts in various areas including innovation, diversity plans, recruitment strategy and service benchmarks. Carlson Restaurants Worldwide’s field recruiters target college students early in their career by providing hourly level opportunities, internships and hospitality scholarship information. The company encourages people to begin an early career by highlighting career growth, a balanced work environment, attractive vacation packages, quarterly and “gold zone” bonuses, incentives based on store profit and a 401(k) contribution option of up to 75%. Regarding long-term benefits, employees reaching 20 years of service are allotted a 4-week paid sabbatical.

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our recruitment program,” said Varano. “T.G.I. Friday’s Human Resources team has been successful in developing a strong recruitment process. We continue to build on that success to place top candidates within the Carlson Restaurants Worldwide family.”

Carlson Restaurants Worldwide President and CEO, Richard Snead, was also recognized at the 2004 MUFSO conference with a Golden Chain Award, which honors outstanding multi-unit foodservice executives. He was also honored with the Operator of the Year award. 

Now in its 45th year, the Multi-Unit Foodservice Organization (MUFSO), hosted by Nation’s Restaurant News, is the foodservice industry’s premiere conference for senior level executives from the nation’s leading restaurant companies. 

There are over 740 T.G.I. Friday’s restaurants in 54 countries. To find a Friday’s location, visit www.fridays.com.

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Note to Editor: Carlson Restaurants Worldwide, parent company of TGI Friday’s Inc., is a privately held company owned by Minneapolis-based Carlson Companies, a world leader in the hospitality, travel and marketing industries. As of October 2004, Carlson Restaurants Worldwide operates, franchises and licenses more than 830 restaurants in 54 countries in three divisions – T.G.I. Friday’s U.S.A. (T.G.I. Friday’sÒ, Friday’s Front RowÒ Sports Grill and Friday’s American BarÒ); International (T.G.I. Friday’s, Front Row® Sports Grill, Friday’s American Bar); and Pick Up Stix. For more information on T.G.I. Friday’s brands, visit www.fridays.com, and for Pick Up Stix information visit www.pickupstix.com.