Highlights
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants is considered the world's largest casual dining restaurant company in terms of market share and annual sales. Restaurant entrepreneur Bill Darden, who opened the first Red Lobster restaurant in Lakeland in 1968, founded the company. Darden is considered one of the pioneers in the development of full-service chain restaurants in the United States.
Since its founding, it has grown to operate more than 1,700 restaurants in North America with about 170,000 employees. Darden was a subsidiary of General Mills from 1970 until 1995, when it was spun off as a separately held publicly traded company. The company's headquarters was moved to Orlando when it beca...
Since its founding, it has grown to operate more than 1,700 restaurants in North America with about 170,000 employees. Darden was a subsidiary of General Mills from 1970 until 1995, when it was spun off as a separately held publicly traded company. The company's headquarters was moved to Orlando when it beca...
Orlando-based Darden Restaurants is considered the world's largest casual dining restaurant company in terms of market share and annual sales. Restaurant entrepreneur Bill Darden, who opened the first Red Lobster restaurant in Lakeland in 1968, founded the company. Darden is considered one of the pioneers in the development of full-service chain restaurants in the United States.
Since its founding, it has grown to operate more than 1,700 restaurants in North America with about 170,000 employees. Darden was a subsidiary of General Mills from 1970 until 1995, when it was spun off as a separately held publicly traded company. The company's headquarters was moved to Orlando when it became a division of General Mills.
Darden is most closely associated with its two largest restaurant brands: Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Both of those chains now have more than 600 locations. The company's attempt to diversify its restaurant holdings has had mixed results. In 1995, Darden shut down an internally developed Chinese restaurant chain called China Coast. Since its spin-off, Darden has also created a barbecue and sports bar-themed restaurant group called Smokey Bones, a Caribbean-themed chain called Bahama Breeze, and a higher-end group of restaurants called Seasons 52. The company announced its intention to sell its Smokey Bones restaurants in May 2007, admitting that the brand did not have the potential to become a national chain. In August, Darden agreed to purchase Rare Hospitality International, which operates the LongHorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille restaurant chains, for an estimated value of $1.4 billion.
Clarence Otis, who took over the company from long-time chief Joe Lee in 2005, serves as chairman and chief executive officer. Darden posted $5.6 billion in annual sales in fiscal year 2007. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DRI.
Since its founding, it has grown to operate more than 1,700 restaurants in North America with about 170,000 employees. Darden was a subsidiary of General Mills from 1970 until 1995, when it was spun off as a separately held publicly traded company. The company's headquarters was moved to Orlando when it became a division of General Mills.
Darden is most closely associated with its two largest restaurant brands: Red Lobster and Olive Garden. Both of those chains now have more than 600 locations. The company's attempt to diversify its restaurant holdings has had mixed results. In 1995, Darden shut down an internally developed Chinese restaurant chain called China Coast. Since its spin-off, Darden has also created a barbecue and sports bar-themed restaurant group called Smokey Bones, a Caribbean-themed chain called Bahama Breeze, and a higher-end group of restaurants called Seasons 52. The company announced its intention to sell its Smokey Bones restaurants in May 2007, admitting that the brand did not have the potential to become a national chain. In August, Darden agreed to purchase Rare Hospitality International, which operates the LongHorn Steakhouse and Capital Grille restaurant chains, for an estimated value of $1.4 billion.
Clarence Otis, who took over the company from long-time chief Joe Lee in 2005, serves as chairman and chief executive officer. Darden posted $5.6 billion in annual sales in fiscal year 2007. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol DRI.
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Scott blocks paid sick-time vote in Orange, statewide
Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill Friday that would block local governments from enacting mandatory paid-sick-time measures, such as the one pending in Orange County. The Republican governor sided with Walt Disney World, Darden Restaurants, the...
Tags: Altamonte Springs, Elections, David Simmons, Restaurant and Catering Industry, Labor Legislation
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Scott's sick-leave bill signing brings out the fans and critics
Tallahassee Bureau ChiefTALLAHASSEE - Florida Gov. Rick Scott didn't waste much time in signing a bill Friday that would block local governments from enacting mandatory paid sick time measures, such as the one pending in Orange County. The Republican governor sided with Walt...Tags: Politics, Amusement and Theme Parks, Thomas C. Feeney, Restaurant and Catering Industry, Labor Legislation
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LongHorn Steakhouse wants a cut of steak-knife business for Father's Day
Lots of restaurants have Father's Day specials this weekend, but LongHorn Steakhouse is trying something a little different: It's selling steak-knife sets. The restaurants are selling sets of four knives with the LongHorn logo for $29.99 apiece. The...
Tags: Lifestyle and Leisure, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Foods and Beverages, Steaks
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LongHorn executive VP to become Ruby Tuesday president
Todd Burrowes, executive vice president of operations for LongHorn Steakhouse, has left to become president of the Ruby Tuesday chain. Burrowes will also be chief operating officer of Tennessee-based Ruby Tuesday Inc. LongHorn Steakhouse is owned by...
Tags: LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruby Tuesday Incorporated, Orlando Restaurants, Red Lobster, Corporate Officers
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As grocers, restaurants bicker, many menus still lack calorie counts
Three years after Congress voted to require it, you still won't find calories listed on the menus of most restaurant chains. The problem? The federal government has yet to write the specific rules to carry out the law, in part because supermarkets are...
Tags: Nutrition, Foods and Beverages, Panera Bread Company, Orlando Restaurants, Restaurant and Catering Industry
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Darden tries out Atrium bar area
Wedged between its latest combination of Olive Garden and Red Lobster in Wilkesboro, N.C., Darden Restaurants is testing a bar called Atrium. Atrium offers its own menu. It has alcohol and foods such as flatbreads, tacos and mini-sandwiches that...
Tags: Lifestyle and Leisure, Olive Garden, Restaurants, International Drive, Restaurant and Catering Industry
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United Arts fundraising beats goal
United Arts of Central Florida's annual public-fundraising campaign had its strongest result in five years, officials said, beating its 2013 goal by almost $390,000. Individuals donated $1.96 million to the three-month fund drive that supports more than...
Tags: Arts and Culture, Orlando Museum of Art, Orlando Science Center, Politics, Arts
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Chamber cheers bill to block local sick pay efforts, while churches, police union object
Central Florida Political Pulse - Orlando SentinelA bill to block paid sick time referendums such as the one pending in Orange County continued to glide through the state Senate this week while a companion measure now sits on the House calendar, a legislative push the Florida Chamber of Commerce strongly... -
Most kids' meals still far from healthful, group warns
Even though children's nutrition has received lots of attention the past few years, you're still more likely to find chicken fingers and fries on kids' menus than wraps and salads. Ninety-seven percent of major restaurant-chain children's meals were...
Tags: Olive Garden, Nutrition, Foods and Beverages, Healthy Diet, Orlando Restaurants
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Part-timers to lose pay amid health act's new math
Los Angeles TimesMany part-timers are facing a double whammy from President Obama's Affordable Care Act. The law requires large employers offering health insurance to include part-time employees working 30 hours a week or more. But rather than provide healthcare to more...Tags: Olive Garden, Health Insurance, Labor Legislation, Restaurant and Catering Industry, University of California, Berkeley
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The 25 Most Powerful People in Central Florida
Taking Names the Blog - Orlando SentinelOver two days, we revealed this year's list of “The 25 Most Powerful People in Central Florida” — as chosen by a panel of leaders from the business, nonprofit and political communities. Below is the full list of 25 - with nutshell... -
Darden missteps, 'Obamacare' flap dent Olive Garden owner's profit
Darden Restaurants Inc.’s second quarter was far from appetizing, as the owner of Olive Garden and Red Lobster watched its net income plunge 37%. The Orlando, Fla., restaurant company saw the sour numbers coming. Earlier in December, citing a...
Tags: Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Orlando Restaurants, Restaurant and Catering Industry, Dining and Drinking
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