Restaurant operator TGI Fridays has been named as the UK's third best company to work for by the respected Sunday Times 100 Best Companies List.

The company is one of a host of leisure companies to feature on the list, which is considered the most extensive research into employee engagement in the UK.

The Best Companies survey uses a wide range of criteria to measure each of the 896 companies on issues affecting employees in the UK today.

Other leisure companies to feature on the list are:

• London-based steak restaurant operator Hawksmoor (5th)

• Restaurant operator Living Ventures (9th)• Travel support firm Expedia (22nd)

• City centre bars operator Inventive Leisure (25th)• Red Carnation Hotel Collection (26th)

• The Savoy Hotel in London (39th)• Thai restaurant chain Bushaba Eathai (54th)

• Travel agent Barrhead Travel (67th)• Northern Ireland-based hospitality group Botanic Inns (78th)

• Restaurant chain Las Iguanas (79th)• Hamburger restaurant chain Byron (92nd)

To see the full list of companies on the list, click here.

The Sunday Times also publishes a list of the 100 best small companies. Budget fitness operator The Gym Group was named the 15th best small company in the UK.