ORLANDO, Fla., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Lobster's chief operations officer for the southwest United States has been promoted to executive vice president of operations for the entire company.

Phil Robinson, 50, who previously led operations for 88 restaurants in Red Lobster's Dallas Division, will be responsible for leading all operations at 663 Red Lobster restaurants throughout North America. His appointment is effective immediately. He will report to Red Lobster President Edna Morris.

"We are thrilled that Phil will be leading Red Lobster's company-wide operations," said Morris. "Phil has a strong guest focus and an unrelenting commitment to excellence."

A veteran Red Lobster executive, Robinson first joined the company in 1976 as an associate restaurant manager. He directed Red Lobster's Employee Relations Department at Orlando corporate headquarters from 1995-1996 and has led Red Lobster restaurants located in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas and Missouri since 1996.

During Robinson's tenure, The Dallas Division consistently led the entire company in guest satisfaction survey results -- an especially impressive accomplishment since the southwest is one of the most competitive and demanding casual dining markets in the nation.

Robinson has received numerous company awards, including the Chain Quality Assurance Award in 1984, the Guest First Service award in 1992, 1993 and 1994, the prestigious Darden Award in 1994, and the Chairman's Award in 1987,1988 and 1990. He is a graduate of the Tuck Executive Program at Dartmouth.

Red Lobster serves more than 140 million guests annually -- more than all other casual dining seafood restaurants combined. The company enjoyed record sales of $2.2 billion in fiscal 2001 (ending May 31). Red Lobster operates in the United States and Canada and employs 60,000 crewmembers. It is a subsidiary of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Darden also owns and operates Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar restaurants. For the Red Lobster nearest you, call 1-800-LOBSTER or visit www.redlobster.com.