No, Red Lobster is no longer owned by Darden Restaurants.
The Evolution of Restaurant Ownership
While Darden Restaurants has a significant historical connection with Red Lobster, the ownership of the popular seafood chain changed hands in July 2014.
A Shared History
The roots of what is now Darden Restaurants trace back to Red Lobster. The company began as an extension of Red Lobster, which was originally founded by William Darden and initially received backing from General Mills. For many years, Red Lobster was a cornerstone brand under the Darden umbrella, contributing significantly to its growth and development into a major player in the restaurant industry.
Darden's Current Portfolio
Today, Darden Restaurants stands as the world's largest full-service restaurant company. It operates more than 1,800 restaurant locations across various popular brands and employs over 175,000 people. While its portfolio is extensive and includes well-known names like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and others, it no longer includes Red Lobster.
Key Milestones in Ownership
To clarify the relationship and the change in ownership:
| Entity | Relationship to Darden | Status | Date/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Lobster | Founded by William Darden, precursor to Darden's expansion | Formerly owned by Darden | Sold in July 2014 |
| Darden Restaurants | Current owner of multiple restaurant brands | Independent of Red Lobster | Operates brands like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and more. |
For more comprehensive information on Darden Restaurants, you can visit their Wikipedia page.
