Continue to Site >>>
Premium
OPINIONLeadership

A look back at Gene Lee's sometimes contrarian approach to leading Darden

The longtime restaurant leader intends to retire in May. Here's how his thinking has influenced a casual-dining giant—if not the industry itself, according to RB's Reality Check. By Peter Romeo on Dec. 17, 2021
Gene Lee | Photo illustration by RB Staff

This Premium Content is only available to rb+ Subscribers

Continue reading with one of the options below

or Subscribe

Restaurant Business Exclusive Content

Leadership

Meet the restaurant fixer who now owns Etta

Tech entrepreneur Johann Moonesinghe suddenly finds himself leading a growing group of restaurants. His secret? He doesn't expect to make a profit.

Financing

Looking for the next Chipotle? These 3 chains are already there

The Bottom Line: Wingstop, Raising Cane’s and Jersey Mike’s have broken free from the pack of well-established growth chains. Here’s why this trio stands out.

Financing

For Starbucks, 2 years of change hasn't yielded promised results

The Bottom Line: The coffee shop giant’s sales struggles worsened earlier this year, despite a flurry of efforts to improve operations and employee satisfaction.