ORLANDO, Fla., June 7 -- Red Lobster has promoted Chris Plunkett to senior vice president of operations for its Paradise Division. In his new position, Plunkett is now responsible for 84 of the company's restaurants located in nine Western states. Red Lobster, part of Orlando- based Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI), is the world's largest full-service seafood dinnerhouse company, with more than 650 restaurants in the United States and Canada.

Plunkett started with Red Lobster in 1976 as a bartender, after attending New York Technical College and Nassau Community College in Long Island, NY. He was promoted to general manager less than three years later, then was promoted to area supervisor in November 1980. He transferred to Red Lobster's Dallas Division in May 1982 as area supervisor for the company's restaurants in Tempe, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona and Albuquerque, New Mexico. In 1987, Plunkett was promoted again to director of operations with responsibility for leading the Red Lobster restaurants in Arizona, New Mexico and Nevada. Most recently, he has been Director for the eleven Red Lobsters in Arizona.

"In his 25 years with Red Lobster, Chris has made numerous contributions to our growth and success," said Edna Morris, Red Lobster Executive Vice President of Operations. "This promotion recognizes Chris' results-oriented performance and his outstanding skills as a leader, teambuilder, restaurant operator and innovator."

Plunkett has been responsible for opening more than 50 new Red Lobster restaurants; helped guide the transition of 28 Seafood Broiler restaurants in California into Red Lobsters; earned four Darden Awards, recognizing his leadership and his restaurants' guest satisfaction and financial performance; and has led his region to more than six years of guest count and earnings growth. "Chris is also passionate about helping the people who work with him develop in their careers," added Morris. "Over the years he has helped many managers in his regions move up to higher levels of responsibility in the company."

With 657 restaurants, more than 63,000 employees and over $2 billion in annual sales, Red Lobster serves more seafood occasions than all other casual dining seafood restaurants combined. The restaurant company is owned by Darden Restaurants, a $3.7 billion publicly traded company, which also owns and operates the Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones restaurants.