Bill Darden opened the first Red Lobster restaurant in 1968. General Mills acquired Red Lobster in 1970 and focused on rapid expansion. In 1995, General Mills sold its restaurant division and named it Darden Restaurants, with Bill Darden and Joe Lee at the helm. Darden Restaurants grew to become the world's largest full-service restaurant company through development and acquisition of brands. In 2014, Golden Gate Capital acquired Red Lobster from Darden Restaurants for $2.1 billion.
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
2024 State of Marketing Report – by HubspotMarius Sescu
https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing
· Scaling relationships and proving ROI
· Social media is the place for search, sales, and service
· Authentic influencer partnerships fuel brand growth
· The strongest connections happen via call, click, chat, and camera.
· Time saved with AI leads to more creative work
· Seeking: A single source of truth
· TLDR; Get on social, try AI, and align your systems.
· More human marketing, powered by robots
ChatGPT is a revolutionary addition to the world since its introduction in 2022. A big shift in the sector of information gathering and processing happened because of this chatbot. What is the story of ChatGPT? How is the bot responding to prompts and generating contents? Swipe through these slides prepared by Expeed Software, a web development company regarding the development and technical intricacies of ChatGPT!
Product Design Trends in 2024 | Teenage EngineeringsPixeldarts
The realm of product design is a constantly changing environment where technology and style intersect. Every year introduces fresh challenges and exciting trends that mold the future of this captivating art form. In this piece, we delve into the significant trends set to influence the look and functionality of product design in the year 2024.
How Race, Age and Gender Shape Attitudes Towards Mental HealthThinkNow
Mental health has been in the news quite a bit lately. Dozens of U.S. states are currently suing Meta for contributing to the youth mental health crisis by inserting addictive features into their products, while the U.S. Surgeon General is touring the nation to bring awareness to the growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation. The country has endured periods of low national morale, such as in the 1970s when high inflation and the energy crisis worsened public sentiment following the Vietnam War. The current mood, however, feels different. Gallup recently reported that national mental health is at an all-time low, with few bright spots to lift spirits.
To better understand how Americans are feeling and their attitudes towards mental health in general, ThinkNow conducted a nationally representative quantitative survey of 1,500 respondents and found some interesting differences among ethnic, age and gender groups.
Technology
For example, 52% agree that technology and social media have a negative impact on mental health, but when broken out by race, 61% of Whites felt technology had a negative effect, and only 48% of Hispanics thought it did.
While technology has helped us keep in touch with friends and family in faraway places, it appears to have degraded our ability to connect in person. Staying connected online is a double-edged sword since the same news feed that brings us pictures of the grandkids and fluffy kittens also feeds us news about the wars in Israel and Ukraine, the dysfunction in Washington, the latest mass shooting and the climate crisis.
Hispanics may have a built-in defense against the isolation technology breeds, owing to their large, multigenerational households, strong social support systems, and tendency to use social media to stay connected with relatives abroad.
Age and Gender
When asked how individuals rate their mental health, men rate it higher than women by 11 percentage points, and Baby Boomers rank it highest at 83%, saying it’s good or excellent vs. 57% of Gen Z saying the same.
Gen Z spends the most amount of time on social media, so the notion that social media negatively affects mental health appears to be correlated. Unfortunately, Gen Z is also the generation that’s least comfortable discussing mental health concerns with healthcare professionals. Only 40% of them state they’re comfortable discussing their issues with a professional compared to 60% of Millennials and 65% of Boomers.
Race Affects Attitudes
As seen in previous research conducted by ThinkNow, Asian Americans lag other groups when it comes to awareness of mental health issues. Twenty-four percent of Asian Americans believe that having a mental health issue is a sign of weakness compared to the 16% average for all groups. Asians are also considerably less likely to be aware of mental health services in their communities (42% vs. 55%) and most likely to seek out information on social media (51% vs. 35%).
AI Trends in Creative Operations 2024 by Artwork Flow.pdfmarketingartwork
This article is all about what AI trends will emerge in the field of creative operations in 2024. All the marketers and brand builders should be aware of these trends for their further use and save themselves some time!
Ang Chong Yi Navigating Singaporean Flavors: A Journey from Cultural Heritage...Ang Chong Yi
In the heart of Singapore, where tradition meets modernity, He embarks on a culinary adventure that transcends borders. His mission? Ang Chong Yi Exploring the Cultural Heritage and Identity in Singaporean Cuisine. To explore the rich tapestry of flavours that define Singaporean cuisine while embracing innovative plant-based approaches. Join us as we follow his footsteps through bustling markets, hidden hawker stalls, and vibrant street corners.
At Taste Of Middle East, we believe that food is not just about satisfying hunger, it's about experiencing different cultures and traditions. Our restaurant concept is based on selecting famous dishes from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and other Arabic countries to give our customers an authentic taste of the Middle East
Roti Bank Hyderabad: A Beacon of Hope and NourishmentRoti Bank
One of the top cities of India, Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and home to some of the biggest companies. But the other aspect of the city is a huge chunk of population that is even deprived of the food and shelter. There are many people in Hyderabad that are not having access to
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
Ang Chong Yi Navigating Singaporean Flavors: A Journey from Cultural Heritage...Ang Chong Yi
In the heart of Singapore, where tradition meets modernity, He embarks on a culinary adventure that transcends borders. His mission? Ang Chong Yi Exploring the Cultural Heritage and Identity in Singaporean Cuisine. To explore the rich tapestry of flavours that define Singaporean cuisine while embracing innovative plant-based approaches. Join us as we follow his footsteps through bustling markets, hidden hawker stalls, and vibrant street corners.
At Taste Of Middle East, we believe that food is not just about satisfying hunger, it's about experiencing different cultures and traditions. Our restaurant concept is based on selecting famous dishes from Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, and other Arabic countries to give our customers an authentic taste of the Middle East
Roti Bank Hyderabad: A Beacon of Hope and NourishmentRoti Bank
One of the top cities of India, Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana and home to some of the biggest companies. But the other aspect of the city is a huge chunk of population that is even deprived of the food and shelter. There are many people in Hyderabad that are not having access to
A report by thenetworkone and Kurio.
The contributing experts and agencies are (in an alphabetical order): Sylwia Rytel, Social Media Supervisor, 180heartbeats + JUNG v MATT (PL), Sharlene Jenner, Vice President - Director of Engagement Strategy, Abelson Taylor (USA), Alex Casanovas, Digital Director, Atrevia (ES), Dora Beilin, Senior Social Strategist, Barrett Hoffher (USA), Min Seo, Campaign Director, Brand New Agency (KR), Deshé M. Gully, Associate Strategist, Day One Agency (USA), Francesca Trevisan, Strategist, Different (IT), Trevor Crossman, CX and Digital Transformation Director; Olivia Hussey, Strategic Planner; Simi Srinarula, Social Media Manager, The Hallway (AUS), James Hebbert, Managing Director, Hylink (CN / UK), Mundy Álvarez, Planning Director; Pedro Rojas, Social Media Manager; Pancho González, CCO, Inbrax (CH), Oana Oprea, Head of Digital Planning, Jam Session Agency (RO), Amy Bottrill, Social Account Director, Launch (UK), Gaby Arriaga, Founder, Leonardo1452 (MX), Shantesh S Row, Creative Director, Liwa (UAE), Rajesh Mehta, Chief Strategy Officer; Dhruv Gaur, Digital Planning Lead; Leonie Mergulhao, Account Supervisor - Social Media & PR, Medulla (IN), Aurelija Plioplytė, Head of Digital & Social, Not Perfect (LI), Daiana Khaidargaliyeva, Account Manager, Osaka Labs (UK / USA), Stefanie Söhnchen, Vice President Digital, PIABO Communications (DE), Elisabeth Winiartati, Managing Consultant, Head of Global Integrated Communications; Lydia Aprina, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Nita Prabowo, Account Manager, Integrated Marketing and Communications; Okhi, Web Developer, PNTR Group (ID), Kei Obusan, Insights Director; Daffi Ranandi, Insights Manager, Radarr (SG), Gautam Reghunath, Co-founder & CEO, Talented (IN), Donagh Humphreys, Head of Social and Digital Innovation, THINKHOUSE (IRE), Sarah Yim, Strategy Director, Zulu Alpha Kilo (CA).
Trends In Paid Search: Navigating The Digital Landscape In 2024Search Engine Journal
The search marketing landscape is evolving rapidly with new technologies, and professionals, like you, rely on innovative paid search strategies to meet changing demands.
It’s important that you’re ready to implement new strategies in 2024.
Check this out and learn the top trends in paid search advertising that are expected to gain traction, so you can drive higher ROI more efficiently in 2024.
You’ll learn:
- The latest trends in AI and automation, and what this means for an evolving paid search ecosystem.
- New developments in privacy and data regulation.
- Emerging ad formats that are expected to make an impact next year.
Watch Sreekant Lanka from iQuanti and Irina Klein from OneMain Financial as they dive into the future of paid search and explore the trends, strategies, and technologies that will shape the search marketing landscape.
If you’re looking to assess your paid search strategy and design an industry-aligned plan for 2024, then this webinar is for you.
5 Public speaking tips from TED - Visualized summarySpeakerHub
From their humble beginnings in 1984, TED has grown into the world’s most powerful amplifier for speakers and thought-leaders to share their ideas. They have over 2,400 filmed talks (not including the 30,000+ TEDx videos) freely available online, and have hosted over 17,500 events around the world.
With over one billion views in a year, it’s no wonder that so many speakers are looking to TED for ideas on how to share their message more effectively.
The article “5 Public-Speaking Tips TED Gives Its Speakers”, by Carmine Gallo for Forbes, gives speakers five practical ways to connect with their audience, and effectively share their ideas on stage.
Whether you are gearing up to get on a TED stage yourself, or just want to master the skills that so many of their speakers possess, these tips and quotes from Chris Anderson, the TED Talks Curator, will encourage you to make the most impactful impression on your audience.
See the full article and more summaries like this on SpeakerHub here: https://speakerhub.com/blog/5-presentation-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers
See the original article on Forbes here:
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/carminegallo/2016/05/06/5-public-speaking-tips-ted-gives-its-speakers/&refURL=&referrer=#5c07a8221d9b
ChatGPT and the Future of Work - Clark Boyd Clark Boyd
Everyone is in agreement that ChatGPT (and other generative AI tools) will shape the future of work. Yet there is little consensus on exactly how, when, and to what extent this technology will change our world.
Businesses that extract maximum value from ChatGPT will use it as a collaborative tool for everything from brainstorming to technical maintenance.
For individuals, now is the time to pinpoint the skills the future professional will need to thrive in the AI age.
Check out this presentation to understand what ChatGPT is, how it will shape the future of work, and how you can prepare to take advantage.
A brief introduction to DataScience with explaining of the concepts, algorithms, machine learning, supervised and unsupervised learning, clustering, statistics, data preprocessing, real-world applications etc.
It's part of a Data Science Corner Campaign where I will be discussing the fundamentals of DataScience, AIML, Statistics etc.
Time Management & Productivity - Best PracticesVit Horky
Here's my presentation on by proven best practices how to manage your work time effectively and how to improve your productivity. It includes practical tips and how to use tools such as Slack, Google Apps, Hubspot, Google Calendar, Gmail and others.
The six step guide to practical project managementMindGenius
The six step guide to practical project management
If you think managing projects is too difficult, think again.
We’ve stripped back project management processes to the
basics – to make it quicker and easier, without sacrificing
the vital ingredients for success.
“If you’re looking for some real-world guidance, then The Six Step Guide to Practical Project Management will help.”
Dr Andrew Makar, Tactical Project Management
Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT and AI in Testing - A Real-World Look, present...Applitools
During this webinar, Anand Bagmar demonstrates how AI tools such as ChatGPT can be applied to various stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC) using an eCommerce application case study. Find the on-demand recording and more info at https://applitools.info/b59
Key takeaways:
• Learn how to use ChatGPT to add AI power to your testing and test automation
• Understand the limitations of the technology and where human expertise is crucial
• Gain insight into different AI-based tools
• Adopt AI-based tools to stay relevant and optimize work for developers and testers
* ChatGPT and OpenAI belong to OpenAI, L.L.C.
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
This session highlights best practices and lessons learned for U.S. Bike Route System designation, as well as how and why these routes should be integrated into bicycle planning at the local and regional level.
Presenters:
Presenter: Kevin Luecke Toole Design Group
Co-Presenter: Virginia Sullivan Adventure Cycling Association
Ride the Storm: Navigating Through Unstable Periods / Katerina Rudko (Belka G...DevGAMM Conference
Has your project been caught in a storm of deadlines, clashing requirements, and the need to change course halfway through? If yes, then check out how the administration team navigated through all of this, relocating 160 people from 3 countries and opening 2 offices during the most turbulent time in the last 20 years. Belka Games’ Chief Administrative Officer, Katerina Rudko, will share universal approaches and life hacks that can help your project survive unstable periods when there seem to be too many tasks and a lack of time and people.
This presentation was designed to provide strategic recommendations for a brand in decline. The deck also incorporates a situational assessment, including a brand identity, positioning, architecture, and portfolio strategy for the Brand.
Presentation originally created for NYU Stern's Brand Strategy course. Design by Erica Santiago & Chris Alexander.
2. • Bill Darden opened the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, FL with Joe
Lee serving as the brand’s first General Manager.
• General Mills acquired Red Lobster in 1970 with just three
restaurants in the portfolio. For the next 25 years they focused on
rapid growth.
• In 1995, General Mills sold its restaurant division, naming the
company after Bill Darden and appointing Joe Lee as its first CEO.
• Darden continued to develop and acquire new brands, eventually
becoming the world’s largest full-service restaurant company.
• In October 2013, investors began to pressure Darden to break-up
into smaller companies and by December Darden announced it
would sell Red Lobster.
3. Joe Lee, former Darden CEO; Salli Setta, President of Red Lobster; Buddy Dyer, Orlando Mayor; Kim Lopdrup,
CEO of Red Lobster; Teresa Jacobs, Orange County Mayor; Neale Attenborough, Operating Partner of Golden
Gate Capital, and Mary Darden, widow of Red Lobster founder Bill Darden.
• Golden Gate Capital acquired
Red Lobster from Darden for
$2.1 billion on July 28, 2014.
• GCC invests in more than 35
companies including
California Pizza Kitchen, Bob
Evans, and Pacific Sunwear.
• In October 2016, Thai Union
Group, a trusted Red
Lobster supplier for more
than 20 years, made a
significant minority equity
investment in Red Lobster.
4. To be where the world goes for seafood
Now and for Generations
5. the ultimate seafood dining experience
SEA-TO-TABLE QUALITY SEAFOOD
…prepared and served extremely fresh
CLEAN, COMFORTABLE RESTAURANTS
…that reflect our passion for seafood
PROMPT, PERSONALIZED SERVICE
…from friendly seafood experts
It all started with one man’s vision and that man was Bill Darden. I am sure most of you have heard of the Darden brand, but probably aren’t as familiar with the rich history and how it all got started.
Mr. Darden was passionate about making delicious, high-quality seafood available and affordable to everyone, including people who lived far from the coast. This is why he chose to open the first Red Lobster in Lakeland , FL to test out his concept in a landlocked city. The restaurant was a success and that is why his dream grew from introducing fresh seafood to the middle of Florida to now the middle of the US. This was unheard of. No concept before had ever been successful in providing not only fresh, but a variety of seafood options to cities throughout the US. Mr. Darden actually partnered with a company to design a cold storage container that could be flown across the country to ensure the seafood products exceeded freshness and quality standards. Our supply chain blazed the trail for numerous companies to follow!
Just two years later, General Mills acquired Red Lobster and this was a period of rapid expansion for the next 25 years.
In 1995, General Mills sold the restaurant division. They named that division after Mr. Darden (which formed the Darden corporation that we all know today). The CEO was Joe Lee, who was actually Red Lobster’s first ever General Manager. Take a look at the top photo. Mr. Darden is on the left and Joe Lee is on the right.
When you think of Darden, you might think of Olive Garden, LongHorn, or Seasons 52, but just remember, it all started with Red Lobster!
In October of 2013, Darden announced that sale of Red Lobster and by July of 2014 we became an independent company and could not be happier! At the time, we called ourselves “a 47 year old start up company”. It was an exciting time to be a part of the brand. With supportive investors like Golden Gate Capital, we knew we could get back to our roots which focused on Great People, Great Seafood, and Great Results.
More recently, it was a wonderful surprise to have Thai Union join our board when they became a minority investor in the business. While they have been a trusted supplier for more than 20 years, it was a great showing of their faith in our brand to want to invest in our future.
My favorite photo on this slide, which truly captures the essence of who we are, is the photo in the center. This is from our ribbon cutting ceremony when we opened the brand new Restaurant Support Center in downtown Orlando, FL once we became an independent company. At Red Lobster, we pride ourselves on being a family, with a rich history and deep roots- and this picture exemplifies that! At the far left, you’ll see Joe Lee. As you’ll recall from the previous slide, he was our first General Manager and CEO. As you move across, that is current President Salli Setta, then Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, then our current CEO Kim Lopdrup, followed by Orange County Mayor Theresa Jacobs, Neale Attenborough from Golden Gate Capital, and then last but not least, Ms. Mary Darden, the widow of the late Bill Darden. To have the support of Joe Lee and the Darden family meant everything, knowing they entrusted us to carry on the legacy of Red Lobster.
I have taken you through the past and a look at the present, but one thing has never changed, and that is our vision- to be where the world goes for seafood now and for generations.
To fulfill that vision, we set out to deliver on our promise each and everyday. That promise is to provide the ultimate seafood dining experience to every guest and we achieve it through:
SEA-TO-TABLE QUALITY SEAFOOD prepared and served extremely fresh
PROMPT, PERSONALIZED SERVICE from friendly seafood experts
CLEAN, COMFORTABLE RESTAURANT that reflect our passion for seafood
Does anybody watch the Deadliest Catch? (pause) If so, you may recognize our supply chain partner and Deadliest Catch captain Mr. Wild Bill in this next video. Let’s see what he has to stay about the crab we proudly serve at Red Lobster.
(play video by clicking on screen).
What’s great about the video is that it not only shows how we deliver on the sea-to-table quality seafood, but also highlights the close relationships we have with our supply chain partners. Fun fact- in the video you would have also caught a glimpse of our very own Dustin Hilinski, our Culinary Director as well as Skip Frisz, Director of Purchasing, who actually flies across the world to meet with our suppliers and inspect our fresh catches like the crab you just saw!
Bill Darden famously said “our greatest competitive edge is the quality of our people, evidenced by the excellent jobs they do everyday”. We couldn’t agree more! What makes Red Lobster truly great are the people that we have on our teams, so are you craving a career yet?!
Lobstertunities exist both in Operations and at the Restaurant Support Center. Today, I will be taking you through the various career paths in restaurant operations.
(Describe FOH roles)
(Describe HOH roles and One Kitchen philosophy)
(Describe leadership roles. Point out key responsibilities)
There are a ton of perks that come with working at Red Lobster. These are just a few.
Training- Briefly describe that training occurs at all levels then take a slightly deeper dive into MIT (in-restaurant + Orlando class week)
Fun and Genuine Caring- Fun is on of our core values and we live it everyday in and out of our restaurants like going on white water rafting adventures. Another core value is Genuine Caring which you can see demonstrated by our teams volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity event as well as a Stuff the Bus event to provide school supplies for kids in need.
Advancement- As I mentioned on the previous slide, providing opportunities for advancement is important to us. 98% of all General Managers are promoted from within which means we are looking for the best and brightest (like you) to start and grow your career with us!
Benefits- We take pride in rewarding our team with benefits that can include medical, dental, vision, 401k retirement, tuition reimbursement, paid-time off, and even pet insurance just to name a few!
Ongoing development and recognition is important to us.
(Describe Annual Leadership Conference)
Women’s Foodservice Forum- In addition to development opportunities within the organization, we also seek to partner with other industry-leading organizations such as WFF. Partnerships like this provide unique opportunities for our leaders to learn and grow with their peers in the industry.
It’s also important to note that as seriously as we take our training and development, there’s always room for a little fun too!
But don’t just take it from me, let’s listen to some current Red Lobster team members describing their experiences working at Red Lobster while in college.
(Play video)
Left 3 photos (Images of Restaurant of the Future in Manassas, VA)
We’ve always been seen as that destination for celebrations. As you’ll see in these photos that showcase our new restaurant design in Manassas, VA, from the cozy hardwood floor to the interactive chalkboard display, I think you’ll agree that our new look is the inviting and coastal place that our guests wants to be!
Center food photos (top is Endless Shrimp, bottom is Crabfest)
At Red Lobster, as many of you may know, we have 3 signature events throughout the year including Endless Shrimp and Crabfest that are featured here. When you join Red Lobster, you become part of a company that is not afraid to explore new flavors like Nashville Hot Shrimp or try new trends like Sriracha all to keep our adventurous eaters coming back for more! Equally, Red Lobster is famous for our traditional dishes, like the Ultimate Feast and Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, which show that we have not lost touch with our roots and we continue to be the seafood experts in casual dining.
Upper right photo (social media)
In case you didn’t know, the average American spends 3.2 hours every day on social networks. Red Lobster continues to find unique and creative ways to engage with our audiences across multiple social channels. So whether we ask you to “Rock a Lobster” or submit a Lobsterworthy story in hopes of becoming #RLFamous and winning a coveted shirt, if you are not already following us, you should start after this presentation.
Also, make sure to check out our separate Careers pages, from Instagram to Glassdoor, to learn more about what it’s like to work at Red Lobster.
Middle right photo (Deadliest Catch/Sustainability/Corporate Responsibility)
Earlier in the presentation, you met Capt. Wild Bill from the Deadliest Catch. At Red Lobster, we pride ourselves on seafood with standards. While the oceans may seem endless, we know that its supply of seafood is not. That’s why we don’t just serve seafood; we protect it.
This means you’ll never see an endangered or overfished seafood on our menu. Additionally, we helped launch the Atlantic Lobster Sustainability Foundation to help protect the lobster population. And we are leading the way to higher sustainability standards by being a founder of the Global Aquaculture Alliance, whose certification program has become one of the most influential forces in sustainably farmed seafood.
So when you join our team, you’ll be joining something bigger than yourself. You’ll be part of a company that is socially and globally responsible.
Bottom right corner (international- Dubai and Japan)
And lastly, when you join Red Lobster, you are joining a global brand. From Dubai to Japan, Puerto Rico to Brazil, we have an international footprint that continues to expand and most importantly allows us to fulfill our vision which is to be where the WORLD goes for seafood now and for generations.
From the vitality of our business and strength of our brand, to our team members that are passionate about hospitality and having fun, I hope you’ll agree…..Now This is a Career! (say with emphasis!)