Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) has appointed Eugene I. Lee, Jr. to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Lee, former CEO of Darden Restaurants from 2015 to 2022, brings extensive restaurant industry leadership experience. During his tenure at Darden, he drove revenue growth of over $2 billion and nearly tripled market capitalization to $20 billion. Lee previously served as Chairman of Darden's Board (2021-2023) and held key positions at RARE Hospitality International. His industry achievements include the IFMA Gold Plate Award and People Report Workplace Legacy Award. The appointment aligns with Portillo's cooperation agreement and has received support from Engaged Capital, LLC. Lee currently serves as Independent Board Chair for Advance Auto Parts.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) ha nominato Eugene I. Lee, Jr. nel proprio Consiglio di Amministrazione, con effetto immediato. Lee, ex CEO di Darden Restaurants dal 2015 al 2022, porta con s茅 una vasta esperienza nella leadership del settore della ristorazione. Durante il suo mandato in Darden, ha guidato una crescita dei ricavi superiore a 2 miliardi di dollari e ha quasi triplicato la capitalizzazione di mercato fino a 20 miliardi di dollari. In precedenza, Lee 猫 stato Presidente del Consiglio di Amministrazione di Darden (2021-2023) e ha ricoperto ruoli chiave in RARE Hospitality International. Tra i suoi riconoscimenti nel settore figurano il premio IFMA Gold Plate e il People Report Workplace Legacy Award. La nomina 猫 in linea con l'accordo di collaborazione di Portillo's e ha ottenuto il sostegno di Engaged Capital, LLC. Attualmente, Lee ricopre il ruolo di Presidente indipendente del Consiglio di Advance Auto Parts.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) ha nombrado a Eugene I. Lee, Jr. como miembro de su Junta Directiva, con efecto inmediato. Lee, ex CEO de Darden Restaurants desde 2015 hasta 2022, aporta una amplia experiencia en liderazgo en la industria restaurantera. Durante su gesti贸n en Darden, impuls贸 un crecimiento de ingresos de m谩s de 2 mil millones de d贸lares y casi triplic贸 la capitalizaci贸n de mercado hasta 20 mil millones de d贸lares. Anteriormente, Lee fue presidente de la Junta Directiva de Darden (2021-2023) y ocup贸 cargos clave en RARE Hospitality International. Entre sus logros en la industria se encuentran el premio IFMA Gold Plate y el People Report Workplace Legacy Award. El nombramiento est谩 alineado con el acuerdo de cooperaci贸n de Portillo's y cuenta con el apoyo de Engaged Capital, LLC. Actualmente, Lee es presidente independiente de la Junta de Advance Auto Parts.
Portillo's (NASDAQ : PTLO) a nomm茅 Eugene I. Lee, Jr. 脿 son conseil d'administration, avec effet imm茅diat. Lee, ancien PDG de Darden Restaurants de 2015 脿 2022, apporte une vaste exp茅rience en leadership dans l'industrie de la restauration. Pendant son mandat chez Darden, il a g茅n茅r茅 une croissance des revenus de plus de 2 milliards de dollars et a presque tripl茅 la capitalisation boursi猫re 脿 20 milliards de dollars. Lee a pr茅c茅demment 茅t茅 pr茅sident du conseil d'administration de Darden (2021-2023) et a occup茅 des postes cl茅s chez RARE Hospitality International. Ses r茅alisations dans le secteur incluent le prix IFMA Gold Plate et le People Report Workplace Legacy Award. Cette nomination s'inscrit dans le cadre de l'accord de coop茅ration de Portillo's et a re莽u le soutien d'Engaged Capital, LLC. Lee est actuellement pr茅sident ind茅pendant du conseil d'administration d'Advance Auto Parts.
Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) hat Eugene I. Lee, Jr. mit sofortiger Wirkung in seinen Vorstand berufen. Lee, ehemaliger CEO von Darden Restaurants von 2015 bis 2022, bringt umfangreiche F眉hrungserfahrung in der Gastronomiebranche mit. W盲hrend seiner Amtszeit bei Darden steigerte er den Umsatz um 眉ber 2 Milliarden US-Dollar und vervielfachte die Marktkapitalisierung nahezu auf 20 Milliarden US-Dollar. Zuvor war Lee Vorsitzender des Darden-Vorstands (2021-2023) und hatte wichtige Positionen bei RARE Hospitality International inne. Zu seinen Branchen-Auszeichnungen z盲hlen der IFMA Gold Plate Award und der People Report Workplace Legacy Award. Die Ernennung steht im Einklang mit der Kooperationsvereinbarung von Portillo's und wird von Engaged Capital, LLC unterst眉tzt. Derzeit ist Lee unabh盲ngiger Vorstandsvorsitzender bei Advance Auto Parts.
Positive
Appointment of highly experienced restaurant industry veteran with proven track record
Lee's leadership at Darden resulted in $2 billion revenue growth and market cap tripling to $20 billion
Demonstrated success in managing both emerging concepts and established chains
Strong operational expertise from ground-level operations to executive leadership
Experience in navigating challenging periods like COVID-19 pandemic
Negative
None.
Former CEO Brings a Wealth of Industry Operations Expertise
CHICAGO, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (NASDAQ: PTLO), the fast-casual restaurant concept known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, today announced the appointment of Eugene I. Lee, Jr., a respected veteran of the restaurant industry and award-winning foodservice leader, to 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 Board of Directors, effective immediately.
"Gene has dedicated his career to the restaurant industry,鈥� said Mike Miles, Chairman of the Board of 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚. 鈥淗is rise from bussing tables to running the world's premier casual-dining company gives him an understanding of all facets of the business, from how to run a great shift to how to best position brands for growth in new markets. He has a passion for the people who work on the front lines and for delivering value to customers and shareholders. We are excited to have his experience and wisdom on the 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 board."
Mr. Lee brings extensive leadership experience across the restaurant industry, from emerging, high-growth concepts to established, high-volume chains. He served as CEO at Darden Restaurants from 2015 to 2022 and as Chairman of the Darden Board from 2021 to 2023. Under his leadership, Darden鈥檚 revenues grew by more than $2 billion and its market capitalization nearly tripled to $20 billion. He led the company through periods of significant change, including the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, with a steadfast focus on team members and guests. Mr. Lee originally joined Darden in 2007 through the acquisition of RARE Hospitality International, and went on to hold several senior roles, including President and Chief Operating Officer, and President of Darden鈥檚 Specialty Restaurant Group. Prior to Darden, Mr. Lee held various leadership positions at RARE, including President and COO.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to join an iconic brand like 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚鈥攐ne that truly understands the heart of what makes restaurants great: craveable food, strong operations, and an unmatched guest experience," said Mr. Lee. "笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 has tremendous potential for continued growth, and I鈥檓 excited to work with the leadership team and Board to help drive that growth and create lasting value for guests, team members, and shareholders alike."
In 2018, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association awarded the prestigious Gold Plate Award for industry excellence to Mr. Lee. He previously received the People Report Workplace Legacy Award in recognition of his commitment to balancing people and performance throughout his career in foodservice.
Mr. Lee is a native of Massachusetts and earned an MBA from Suffolk University in Boston. He is currently the Independent Board Chair for Advance Auto Parts.
This appointment was made in alignment with the terms of 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 previously announced cooperation agreement and is supported by Engaged Capital, LLC.
鈥淕ene is one of the best operators in the restaurant industry and will be a tremendous asset in the 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 boardroom in helping the company continue to execute its growth strategy and deliver strong unit economics,鈥� said Glenn W. Welling, Founder and CIO of Engaged Capital.
About 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 In 1963,聽Dick Portillo聽invested聽$1,100听迟o open the first Portillo's hot dog stand in聽Villa Park, Illinois, calling it "The Dog House." Today, Portillo's (NASDAQ: PTLO) has grown to more than 90 restaurants across 10 states and is beloved for its Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and famous chocolate cake.
Guests can join 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 Perks, the brand鈥檚 loyalty program, at Portillos.com/perks to earn and redeem delicious rewards. Fans can also download the 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 App for iOS or Android or visit 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 website to order ahead for pickup or delivery and get the best dill on these bun-believably delicious Chicago-style favorites and more. Plus, 笔辞谤迟颈濒濒辞鈥檚 ships its craveworthy food to all 50 states via Portillos.com.
Investor Contact: Chris Brandon
Media Contact: Sara Wirth
FAQ
Who is Gene Lee and why did Portillo's (PTLO) appoint him to their board?
Gene Lee is a veteran restaurant industry leader who served as CEO of Darden Restaurants from 2015-2022, where he grew revenues by $2 billion. He was appointed to Portillo's board for his extensive operational expertise and success in growing restaurant brands.
What was Gene Lee's track record at Darden Restaurants?
As CEO of Darden (2015-2022), Lee grew revenues by over $2 billion and nearly tripled market capitalization to $20 billion. He also successfully led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic.
What positions has Gene Lee held in the restaurant industry?
Lee served as CEO and Board Chairman of Darden Restaurants, President and COO at RARE Hospitality International, and currently serves as Independent Board Chair for Advance Auto Parts.
What awards has Gene Lee received in the restaurant industry?
Lee received the IFMA Gold Plate Award for industry excellence in 2018 and the People Report Workplace Legacy Award for balancing people and performance in foodservice.
How does Gene Lee's appointment align with Portillo's strategy?
Lee's appointment aligns with Portillo's cooperation agreement and is supported by Engaged Capital, LLC. His expertise is expected to help drive growth and create value for guests, team members, and shareholders.
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