Darden Restaurants Inc., the parent company of Irvine-based Yard House USA Inc., named President and Chief Operating Officer Gene Lee Yard House’s interim chief executive.
He oversaw Darden’s $585 million acquisition of Yard House in 2012 as president of the Orlando-based company’s Specialty Restaurant Group.
In six years of running Darden’s specialty restaurants—the company’s upscale brands, contrasted with its more value-priced chains, such as Olive Garden—Lee produced annualized sales growth of 17% and earnings growth of 26%, according to the company.
Darden Restaurants’ shareholders replaced Darden’s entire board of directors this month after activist investors sought changes in operating strategy.
