"A natural passion in any business creates a relentless pursuit that allows for true inspiration for development of the passion in others."

Purchase Book

"Do it now. Whatever it is, think it, act it and live it."

Charley Woodsby has a long tradition in the restaurant industry with a career spanning over 60 years. He began his career by attending culinary school in New York City and in 1954 opened his first restaurant in Atlanta, GA. He then moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1960 and formed a business partnership that would change the rest of his life. This partnership owned and operated numerous successful restaurants in Florida and in 1968 they opened the very first Red Lobster in Lakeland, FL. In two short years the partnership sold all 5 of their Red Lobsters to General Mills. Charley stayed on with the company to open 72 Red Lobster Restaurants across the country. At the age of 42 Charley left the General Mills organization to retire, but anyone that knows Charley knew his career was far from over. In just one year, Charley was back in business with his son, Ron. Together they opened the first Talk of the Town Restaurant in Lakeland, FL. Over the next five years they would open a Talk of the Town Restaurant in Winter Haven, Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Orlando, FL.

In 1984, the Woodsby’s decided to take their restaurants in a new direction and open a high-end steakhouse using only the highest quality and standards. Talk of the Town Restaurant in Orlando became “Charley’s Steak House” and the rest is history. Charley Woodsby is the founder of one of America’s Top Ten Steakhouses and although he is semi-retired now his legacy lives on. He was recently honored with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is presented to those individuals who have “distinguished themselves in an extraordinary manner during their careers” not only in the industry, but also in community involvement.

Charley formed a charitable foundation in 1992 that supports a multitude of programs designed to help the needy in the United States and Honduras. In his free time Charley enjoys playing golf, croquet and traveling around the world.

Red Lobster "The Beginning"

About The Book

"Find your passion for what you really want to do in life - school teacher, boat captain or chef - and you will be successful; you will enjoy every day as if you were not working."

Charley Woodsby has a recipe for everything – in and out of the kitchen. During his years in the restaurant business, his unique character as a visionary restaurateur culminated in his cofounding an indelible part of the American dining experience: Red Lobster. Never one to rest on his laurels, Charley then conquered new frontiers in award-winning high-end steak houses.

Learn how Charley turned his childhood dinners in Spartanburg, South Carolina, into a dining experience American families choose again and again today. With a delightful mix of stories about Charley’s life and business legacy, you’ll also receive the secrets of some of his most famous dishes.

Charley’s recipes – for his restaurants’ delicious food and for enjoying a fulfilling life – will leave you hungry for more!

Purchase Book

“Always do more than what is expected of you. Go the extra mile. Keep your heart and soul in the business.”

RESTAURANTS

“Just because we are doing something one way doesn’t mean we should keep doing it that way. Keep on top of it; there could be a better way.”

“My Motto has always been quality, value, service and integrity; be honest, be truthful, and treat people with respect.”

Media

Red Lobster's Navigator News
Book Shares History of the Red Lobster Brand

Learn More

Charley Woodsby Speaks at
the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show

Learn More

Woodsby Family & Talk of the Town Restaurant Group Receives Kids Beating Cancer's Healing Heroes Award

Learn More

Food for the Body and for the Soul
A Red Lobster Story

Learn More

Butler Chain Living

Meet the Woodsby's
Learn More

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Magazine

Path to Power
Learn More

Laurel Magazine

Woodsby, Your Famous Neighbor
Learn More

THE WOODSBY WAY

tHREE GENERATIONS
OF WOODsBY'S

The history of the Woodsby family and Talk of the Town Restaurant Group. 

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association

Lifetime Achievement Award

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Honors Charley Woodsby with the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award.

JEFF STERN’S

CONNECTED THROUGH CARS

Charley Woodsby shares his inspiring history on Jeff Stern’s Connect Through Cars. 

TESTIMONIALS

“Mr. Woodsby’s love for the restaurant business has continued and today his namesake restaurant, Charley’s Steak House, is ranked among the best steakhouses in America.”
JEB BUSHFLORIDA GOVERNOR 1999–2007, IN A PERSONAL LETTER RECOGNIZING CHARLEY WOODSBY FOR A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE FLORIDA RESTAURANT AND LODGING ASSOCIATION, SEPTEMBER 9, 2006
What I have most admired about Charley is his attention to detail and his demand for excellence. You can walk into any of his restaurants and immediately know it’s one of his. They look and behave exactly as you would want a restaurant to. Like him, they are dignified and understated, but have a wealth of substance. Success did not befall him; he earned it.”
PAUL MEARSCHAIRMAN, MEARS TRANSPORTATION GROUP
“Charley has been a mentor to me for the past thirty years. His guidance, both professionally and personally, has been invaluable to me and my career. In my opinion, Charley’s key to success has been that first he treats everyone with respect and second he sees everyone as a member of his extended family. His longevity in the restaurant business is an inspiration and a testament to his magnitude in the industry.”
DENNIS DARMOCCFO, TALK OF THE TOWN RESTAURANTS INC
“At some point in every conversation with Charley, I think to myself, ‘I cannot believe I am talking to a man who helped shape the way we dine out.’ Charley is an inspiration to me not only professionally but personally. It is an honor to learn from a true industry pioneer.”
SETH MILLERSENIOR OPERATING PARTNER, TALK OF THE TOWN RESTAURANTS INC.
“To be a great restaurant you need talent from the kitchen to the front of the house and certainly Charley exceeds all those achievements!”
CHEF BURT CUTINOCEC, AAC, HOF, HBOT, COFOUNDER OF SARDINE FACTORY RESTAURANT AND PAST CHAIR OF AMERICAN ACADEMY OF CHEFS, 1995-1999
“All that I had done before and the years since, nothing has excited me more than the time working with Charley Woodsby, Bill Darden, Wally Buckley and the dozens of others that contributed to the phenomenon in the early ‘70s.”
WILLIAM MACK MILLEREXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO STARTED THE ARCHITECTURAL AND GENERAL CONTRACTOR DIVISION AND HANDLED THE RAPID EXPANSION
“Charley Woodsby is a true AMERICAN entrepreneur of the restaurant business which represents one of the hardest industries to be successful. Many of his innovations have changed how restaurants operate. Blessed with an inquisitive mind and huge creative talent, Woodsby is a case study of success.”
JAMES DOHERTYPUBLISHED AND EDITOR,NATION’S RESTAURANT NEWS EMERITUS
“I just finished your wonderful book. Congratulations on such a fascinating and well written story. I could barely put it down. Can’t wait to try some of the recipes!
Bill and Gail Taber
“I hope you believe in the saying “better late than never,” I’ve been meaning to write and tell Charley how much Bill and I enjoyed his talk. It was wonderful, and he did an outstanding job. Very low-key. Anyway, I loved the fact that he is thankful every day for being born in America. I feel that way, too. Thank you again.”
Shirley Hightower
“Edwin and I so very much enjoyed your talk at the Red Lobster dinner. Your story is so terrific and so much the American way!!! We really appreciate your sharing it with us, not to mention all you have done for HFCC. We are also enjoying your book!”
Julia and Edwin Hussey
Previous
Next

FOLLOW CHARLEY

All   Steaks   Are   Not   Created   Equal