Darden Honors Lotito Foods With The "Joe R. Lee Legendary Leadership Award"

Orlando, Fla. – Darden Restaurants, the world's largest full-service restaurant operating company, recently announced that Lotito Foods, Inc., based in Edison, N.J., was named one of two “Joe R. Lee Legendary Leadership Award” recipients for 2011 at its annual “Supplier of the Year Award” dinner in Orlando on May 5. This inaugural award, named for the first chairman and chief executive officer of Darden, recognizes suppliers who’ve won the “William B. Darden Supplier Award” five or more times.

Darden honored Lotito Foods, Inc. – an importer of Italian and European food products and five-time “William B. Darden Distinguished Supplier Award” recipient – for supporting Olive Garden’s ideation efforts in Italy and continuous improvements in cost and quality.

“At Darden, we make bold moves and Lotito Foods has moved right along with us,” said Clarence Otis, CEO of Darden Restaurants. “We thank them for moving fast, standing behind ideas that accelerated our business and taking smart risks while delivering the unexpected. Their diligence and dedication has helped us to expand, improve and deliver big ideas.”

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), the world’s largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates more than 1,800 restaurants that generate more than $7 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing approximately 180,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. In 2011, Darden became the first full-service restaurant company ever to be named to the FORTUNE “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

Source: Darden Restaurants