Gene Lee was named Chairman of the Board in January 2021 after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer since February 2015. Gene brings more than 30 years of restaurant operating experience to the role, which ranges from early stage high-growth concepts to large high-volume chains.
Previously, Gene served as President and COO of Darden for one year. In his role, Gene had strategic and operational responsibility for more than 2,000 Red Lobster, Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants in North America with $7.5 billion in annual sales and 180,000 employees. He also had functional responsibility for restaurant operations, brand management, culinary, and business insights across all Darden brands. Prior to being named President and COO, Gene served as President of Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group (SRG) for six years. Under Gene’s leadership, the Group grew from 60 to 175 restaurants, including the acquisition of two brands – Eddie V’s and Yard House – while delivering annualized sales growth of 17 percent and annual restaurant earnings growth of 26 percent.
Gene, 60, joined Darden in October 2007 as part of the company’s acquisition of RARE Hospitality International, where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. Gene had been with RARE since January 1997, serving initially as Executive Vice President of Operations for its Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse concept. He became Executive Vice President of Operations for RARE’s LongHorn Steakhouse division in October 1997 and was promoted to COO of RARE the following year. In 2001, he was named President of RARE and elected to its Board of Directors.
In 2018, Gene received the Gold Plate Award for industry excellence from the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA), which is widely regarded as the foodservice industry’s top honor. In 2013, he was recognized with the People Report Workplace Legacy Award which is presented annually to the leader who has clearly demonstrated a commitment to balancing people and performance throughout his or her career in the foodservice industry.
A native of Massachusetts, Gene earned an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
What is Eugene I. Lee, Jr.'s net worth?
The estimated net worth of Eugene I. Lee, Jr. is at least $3.24 million as of September 13th, 2023. Mr. Lee, Jr. owns 19,430 shares of Darden Restaurants stock worth more than $3,240,535 as of November 16th. This net worth approximation does not reflect any other investments that Mr. Lee, Jr. may own. Learn More about Eugene I. Lee, Jr.'s net worth.
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Has Eugene I. Lee, Jr. been buying or selling shares of Darden Restaurants?
Who are Darden Restaurants' active insiders?
Darden Restaurants' insider roster includes Margaret Atkins (Director), Matthew Broad (SVP), Todd Burrowes (Insider), Ricardo Cardenas (CEO, President & Director), Juliana Chugg (Director), Susan Connelly (SVP), Daniel Kiernan (Insider), Sarah King (SVP), Eugene Lee, Jr. (CEO), John Madonna (SVP), Melvin Martin (Insider), Nana Mensah (Director), Douglas Milanes (SVP), Richard Renninger (SVP), William Simon (Director), Rajesh Vennam (CFO), Laura Williamson (Insider), and Timothy Wilmott (Director). Learn More on Darden Restaurants' active insiders.
Are insiders buying or selling shares of Darden Restaurants?
In the last twelve months, insiders at the restaurant operator sold shares 16 times. They sold a total of 112,435 shares worth more than $18,486,410.74. The most recent insider tranaction occured on October, 4th when insider Melvin John Martin sold 3,000 shares worth more than $489,900.00. Insiders at Darden Restaurants own 0.6% of the company.
Learn More about insider trades at Darden Restaurants. Information on this page was last updated on 10/4/2024.
