T.G.I. Friday’s is the first restaurant chain in the UK to receive a ‘perfect’ rating of five in the National Food Hygiene Ratings Scheme across all of its UK restaurants. The ratings place all Friday’s restaurants significantly higher than renowned UK eateries including The Ivy, Nobu and Claridges.
Scores on the Doors
The scheme, previously known as ‘Scores on the Doors’ and run by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) rates all restaurants from zero to five for their food hygiene practices.
Friday’s was praised for an internal audit process that actually exceeds the standards set for a top rating by the FSA. It is also the latest step in a pursuit of ‘nothing but excellence’ for Friday’s.
Under the scheme, food safety officers visit businesses to check they meet the requirements of food hygiene law. Scores are calculated based upon the National Code of Practice. Aspects taken into account include:
- How hygienically food is handled, prepared, cooked and stored
- The condition and structure of the building including cleanliness, lighting and ventilation
- How the business manages and records its food hygiene processes
Industry leading
The notion of protection – both of guests and team members – is so central to Friday’s that it has become a core value for the brand. As such, Friday’s has a solid and continual investment in new systems and building maintenance making food hygiene at Friday’s industry leading.
This investment in systems and building is backed up by a strong focus on training team members in the best hygiene practices to ensure Friday’s kitchens are the best and most hygienic in the world.
The confidence of the team in the processes employed by Friday’s is evident in the ratings by Sunday Times Best Places to Work in which Friday’s finished second in the country in the ratings for confidence in ‘my manager’ and ‘my team’.
Consumers take hygiene into consideration
Melissa Paradiso, Brand Protection Support Manager at T.G.I. Friday’s UK commented: “Consumers are increasingly taking hygiene into consideration when making their restaurant choices. It doesn’t matter how good the food and drink may be – having perfect hygiene is an absolute basic which every restaurant should have as a core principal.”
Recent award wins
Friday’s has been recognised by the industry with several award wins including:
- Friday’s placed third in Sunday Times Best Companies to Work for 2013
- Eat Out Awards 2013 – Winner (Team of the Year)
- Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2013 – Awarded 3 Stars (Extraordinary)
- Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2012 – Winner (Evolutionary Brand of the Year)
- Retailers’ Retailer of the Year Awards 2012 – Winner (Leadership – Karen Forrester)
- RLI International Restaurateur 2012 – Winner
T.G.I. Friday’s has 60 restaurants across the UK in a range of locations.
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