Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 1, 2003
JOE R. LEE was named Chairman and CEO of Darden Restaurants,
Inc., on May 29, 1995. In December 1994, he had been named
President and CEO of General Mills Restaurants, Inc., with the
announcement that General Mills, Inc., would separate into two
public companies effective June 1995. Mr. Lee was elected a Vice
Chairman of General Mills in April 1992. Mr. Lee began his
business career in 1967, when he joined the founding team of Red
Lobster. He was manager of the first Red Lobster, which opened in
Lakeland, Florida, in 1968. In June 1972 he was named President
and CEO of Red Lobster. In March 1976, Mr. Lee was elected Vice
President of General Mills, Inc. In January 1979, he was elected
President of General Mills Restaurants, a position in which he
was responsible for all of General Mills' restaurant operations,
which now include Red Lobster and The Olive Garden. In December
1980, he became Executive Vice President of General Mills and in
September 1985, he was elected to the corporation's Board of
Directors. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors
of Tupperware, Inc. In May 1994, Mr. Lee received the degree of
Doctor of Business Administration in Foodservice Management
Honoris Causea from Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island,
and in May 1995 he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree
from St. Leo College in Florida. Profile
Mr. Lee: We operate two of the largest and most successful casual
dining restaurant companies in the country, both dominating
