Restaurant operator TGI Fridays has been named as the UK's third best company to work for by the respected The 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.