William Bristor Darden (November 17, 1918 – March 29, 1994), known as Bill, was an American businessman and the founder of the Red Lobster restaurant franchise.
Going against the state's laws at the time, Darden refused to racially segregate the patrons.
[2] The Green Frog was highly successful, and Darden decided to invest in Howard Johnson's hotels and restaurants.
[2] In 1968, Darden founded the first Red Lobster restaurant in Lakeland, Florida, an inland city.
"[3] Dick Monroe, vice president of Red Lobster public relations, recalled an interaction with Darden in an elevator before the two had been formally introduced: "He knew things about me that probably my boss didn't even know.