John J. Gillin

John J. Gillin was a notable American chef and restaurateur known for transforming casual dining. He founded the Red Lobster chain in 1968, popularizing accessible seafood dining nationwide. Gillin focused on creating inviting, family-friendly environments with quality food and service. His innovative approach helped shape the modern casual dining industry and made lobster and other seafood more affordable and widely available. Throughout his career, he emphasized operational excellence and customer satisfaction, leaving a lasting influence on American restaurant culture.