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Darden CEO: Restaurants face a 'war for talent'Darden CEO: Restaurants face a 'war for talent'

Gene Lee says company’s scale gives Olive Garden parent advantages in labor battle

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

September 20, 2018

5 Min Read
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Finding, hiring, training and retaining restaurant workers are growing into the restaurant industry’s biggest growth hurdles, according to the CEO of casual-dining behemoth Darden Restaurants Inc., and he says his company’s size gives it a considerable advantage.

“The biggest challenge in the industry is going to be the war for talent,” Darden CEO and president Gene Lee said in an earnings call with analysts Thursday. “Brands that can hire, train and retain front-line employees to bring their brands to life are going to win, and the dynamics inside the industry are changing dramatically.”

Lee said his Orlando, Fla.-based casual-dining company, which owns eight brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitc...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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