From an early age, William (Bill) Darden knew what he wanted. He opened his first restaurant at the age of 19 in his hometown of Waycross, Georgia, in 1938. He called it The Green Frog. This humble restaurant would be the first of many that Darden would operate.
In 1968 Darden branched out and opened his first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. After much success, he sold the company to General Mills, who expanded the Red Lobster chain to more than 400 locations by 1985.
In 1982, the company opened their first Olive Garden in Orlando, Florida.
In 1995, General Mills spun off their restaurants and created Darden Restaurants. In 1996, Darden went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol DRI.
In 1996, the company opened the Bahama Breeze Island Grille chain, as well as the Smokey Bones BBQ in 1999.
In 2002, the company began testing of their concept of a different type of restaurant, one with a menu that changed with the seasons of the year, called Season 52.
In August of 2007, the company acquired The Capital Grille chain, as well as Longhorn SteakHouse restaurants.
In July of 2012, the company acquired Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, as well as Wildfish Seafood Grille for $59 million. Later that same year, the company acquired Yard House restaurants for $585 million.
In May of 2014, Darden announced it would be selling the Red Lobster chain to Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion.
In March of 2017, the company acquired Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen for $780 million. 
Darden Restaurants employs almost 200,000 persons and had annual revenue in 2012 of $7.999 billion. Company headquarters are located in Orlando, Florida. 
From an early age, William (Bill) Darden knew what he wanted. He opened his first restaurant at the age of 19 in his hometown of Waycross, Georgia, in 1938. He called it The Green Frog. This humble restaurant would be the first of many that Darden would operate.
In 1968 Darden branched out and opened his first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. After much success, he sold the company to General Mills, who expanded the Red Lobster chain to more than 400 locations by 1985.
History
In 1982, the company opened their first Olive Garden in Orlando, Florida.
In 1995, General Mills spun off their restaurants and created Darden Restaurants. In 1996, Darden went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol DRI.
In 1996, the company opened the Bahama Breeze Island Grille chain, as well as the Smokey Bones BBQ in 1999.
In 2002, the company began testing of their concept of a different type of restaurant, one with a menu that changed with the seasons of the year, called Season 52.
In August of 2007, the company acquired The Capital Grille chain, as well as Longhorn SteakHouse restaurants.
In July of 2012, the company acquired Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, as well as Wildfish Seafood Grille for $59 million. Later that same year, the company acquired Yard House restaurants for $585 million.
In May of 2014, Darden announced it would be selling the Red Lobster chain to Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion.
In March of 2017, the company acquired Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen for $780 million.
Darden Restaurants employs almost 200,000 persons and had annual revenue in 2012 of $7.999 billion. Company headquarters are located in Orlando, Florida.
On Mother’s Day 2022 me and a group of family, friends, and our children went to Cheddar’s in San Angelo TX. Some of us was in the bar area and others seated… We received outstanding service…. From our bartender.. The good was good and the employees was very respectful… As always there is management and I was able to get this lady name Shannon… She was very rude to her staff and have no hospitality… She treated them as if they was nobody. She was very rude to our bartender forcing her to do way to many things and causing her to forget the guest… She used vulgar profanity in front of us and our children… She made our experience horrible and for that reason we will never come there again… People should not be yelled at and cursed at by management. She offered no help or assistance to the staff she just set and watched and showed no professionalism until what she enforced was done by that sweet bartender…
Chris Harrington – Human Resources – Boston Region. Extremely unprofessional, checked references which I did not provide causing retaliation towards me at my current job.
No complaint as such the only complaint is that your presence of Olive Garden and Red Lobster are not present in Silver Spring Shores [ Ocala ] FL 34472.
I am a retired also a USAF Veteran Jan 67-Oct 70. After private industry, went to work for the USDA Forest Service 20 years and settled in 34472 zip code of Ocala FL which is known as Silver Spring Shores.
We do have Red Lobster and Olive Garden in Ocala FL on SR 200, just West of 17th Street. From the Shores, that is over 10 miles. The Shores land area is about the same or larger than Ocala, FL proper. Home builders are in process of building 500 new homes in 34472 area. And the Shores is about 30 minutes driving time to the Villages which is also expanding. Both the Shores and the Villages represents lots of future hungry customers who would take advantage of your restaurants . I thoroughly enjoy going to your establishment on SR200 but I don’t always like to drive 10 or more miles at night.
Vacant business lots are plentiful on Maricamp Road [ 17 th Street ] just ripe for your restaurants to be built. I will be 72 this July but I am going to find out how I can get involved in Marion County business development to bring new blood and life to this community. I am NOT involved yet except by this letter to you to get started. I hope that you will look into this possibility of using a prime location for both Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants.
Sincerely
James P Fallucco
They will lie to you in interview and after you leave. Will ripe you off in a heart beat. Darden owns several different ones, so check out real name of corporation before applying. If you do end up working for them, SAVE your print out of hours worked at end of shift for proof. Labor Dept needs proof like that. I pray you never work there. Manager also said worked 2dys less than what I did after I left. BE AWARE
Don’t ever work 4 this company!!!!!! Manger lies in interview, plus now not getting paid 4 work rendered. Darden owns several different ones, so check out real name of corporation before applying. Plus, manager lied again after I left. Said worked 2dys less than what I did. So, if you work for them SAVE your print out of hours worked at end of shift for proof. You will need it for labor dept.
Hi I love Olive Garden . It’s my favorite restaurant.In 2018 I bought a gift card for someone.I received a bonus card which I forgot all about.When I went to use it I realized it was expired.Only by 2 days.Its only for $10.00 Is there anything I could do with it or do I lose out.Thank You very much. Patty Connery