Red Lobsters to go green

ORLANDO, FL — Darden Restaurants Inc. — parent company of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and other restaurant chains — announced that it will incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards in the building and remodeling of its locations, according to GlobeSt.com.

According to the story, eight locations have already begun the process of obtaining LEED certification from the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) over the next two years.

Darden Senior Vice President of Development Suk Singh said: "While we may not seek LEED certification for every restaurant we build or remodel, we can make a positive impact by learning from the eight restaurants where we are seeking LEED certification and applying best practices across our entire portfolio."

One of the restaurants seeking LEED certification is an Olive Garden location in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the story noted.

According to the story, the company plans to include LEED points-earning measures like recycled building materials, more windows to allow for natural lighting, energy-efficient fixtures and reclaimed heat from air-conditioning and freezer-system condensers.

Darden Restaurants is currently awaiting LEED Gold certification on its newly-built headquarters in Orlando, Florida, the story added.

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