Published: Aug 21, 2018

Red Lobster Co-Founder to Speak in Ocala

Caption: Charley Woodsby in-front of a modern Red Lobster location, displaying his new book.

Ocala, Florida (August 20, 2018) – Charley Woodsby, Co-Founder of Red Lobster, will headline the Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership’s November breakfast in recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Woodsby, along with Co-founder Bill Darden, opened the first Red Lobster in 1968 in Lakeland, Florida. The company grew to 5 locations, and in 1970 was sold to General Mills. Woodsby remained with General Mills to open the first 72 Red Lobster locations across the country, until his retirement from the company at the age of 42. Since then, he has remained active in the restaurant industry, creating high-end steakhouses under the brands Talk of the Town Restaurants and Charley’s Steak House among others.

Speaking on his upcoming visit to Ocala, Woodsby commented, “I look forward to speaking in Ocala and telling the Red Lobster story featured in my new book. I hope that my entrepreneur journey will inspire others.”

Woodsby’s speech in Ocala comes-after past Global Entrepreneurship Week speakers including the founder of ESPN and one of the original “sharks” from the ABC television show Shark Tank. Speaking on this year’s event, Ryan Lilly, Vice President of Business Creation for the CEP said, “We look forward to hearing Charley’s incredible story and how he created this now national restaurant brand. We are also incredibly grateful to our event sponsors, Neighborhood Storage, Webster University, and The Cornerstone School for making this special occasion possible.”

Woodsby’s keynote speech, entitled “Charley Woodsby’s Journey through the Business World”, will take place on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at 8am at the Marion County Extension Auditorium in Ocala. The cost is $10 for CEP Partners and $20 for the General Public. Breakfast is included. Seating is limited and guests must RSVP by visiting this link or by calling 352-629-8051. An author signing of Charley’s new bestselling book Red Lobster: The Beginning will occur immediately following his talk, and books will also be available for purchase.

The Ocala/Marion County Chamber and Economic Partnership was created to be a one-stop hub for the community’s business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP’s mission is to be the catalyst for a prosperous community. Its Moving Forward-Phase II plan seeks to impact the creation of 4,500 new jobs with wages 15 percent above the county average and resulting in a capital investment of $400 million by 2021. 

For more information on Charley Woodsby visit www.charleywoodsby.com/
For more information on the CEP & local resources for entrepreneurs visit www.OcalaCEP.com
Contact Ryan Lilly at 352-629-8051 x 125 or Ryan@OcalaCEP.com.

Caption: Charley Woodsby (left) speaks to a Chef in the early days of Red Lobster.