# Gene Lee

> Eugene "Gene" I. Lee Jr. is an American restaurant executive who began bussing tables at 16, rose through York Steak House, Pizzeria Uno and RARE Hospitality, then led Darden Restaurants from 2015 to 2022. He is now chairman of Portillo’s and independent board chair of Advance Auto Parts. His operating philosophy centers on curiosity, plain priorities, trust and giving restaurant teams room to run great shifts.

- **Role:** Chairman of Portillo’s and Independent Board Chair of Advance Auto Parts
- **Organizations:** Portillo’s, Advance Auto Parts, Darden Restaurants, RARE Hospitality International, Uno Restaurant Corp., York Steak House Systems
- **From:** Massachusetts, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Executive MBA, Suffolk University
- **Known for:** Led Darden as CEO from 2015 to 2022; company revenue grew by more than $2 billion and market capitalization nearly tripled to $20 billion during his tenure., Expanded Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group from 60 to 175 restaurants, with annualized sales growth of 17% and restaurant earnings growth of 26%., Received the 2018 IFMA Gold Plate Award for foodservice industry excellence.

## Career timeline

- **c. 1977** — Started as a busboy at York Steak House in Natick, Massachusetts, at age 16.
- **Before 1997** — Rose through restaurant operations and became senior vice president of operations at Uno Restaurant Corp.
- **1994-1996** — Completed Suffolk University’s executive MBA program.
- **1997** — Joined RARE Hospitality as executive vice president of operations for Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, then moved to the LongHorn Steakhouse division.
- **1998** — Promoted to chief operating officer of RARE Hospitality.
- **2001** — Named president of RARE Hospitality and elected to its board.
- **2007** — Joined Darden when it acquired RARE and became president of Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group.
- **2013** — Became president and chief operating officer of Darden; received the People Report Workplace Legacy Award.
- **2014** — Named interim CEO after an activist campaign replaced Darden’s board.
- **2015** — Appointed Darden CEO by unanimous board vote.
- **2018** — Received IFMA’s Gold Plate Award for foodservice industry excellence.
- **2021** — Became chairman of Darden’s board while continuing as CEO.
- **2022** — Retired as Darden CEO; Rick Cardenas succeeded him.
- **2023** — Retired as Darden chairman.
- **2025** — Joined the Portillo’s board and later became lead independent director.
- **2026** — Appointed chairman of Portillo’s, effective March 11.

## Achievements

- Led Darden as CEO from 2015 to 2022; company revenue grew by more than $2 billion and market capitalization nearly tripled to $20 billion during his tenure.
- Expanded Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group from 60 to 175 restaurants, with annualized sales growth of 17% and restaurant earnings growth of 26%.
- Received the 2018 IFMA Gold Plate Award for foodservice industry excellence.
- Received the 2013 People Report Workplace Legacy Award for balancing people and performance.
- Helped fund the Suffolk CARES Pantry for students facing food insecurity.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Appointed chairman of the Portillo’s board, effective March 11, 2026.
- **2025-09** — Named lead independent director of Portillo’s during its CEO transition.
- **2025-06** — Joined the Portillo’s board of directors.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/gene-lee
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26