Portillo’s Adds Veteran Restaurant Leader Gene Lee to Board of Directors

Core Insights - Portillo's has appointed Eugene I. Lee, Jr. to its Board of Directors, bringing extensive experience from the restaurant industry [1][2] - Mr. Lee previously served as CEO of Darden Restaurants, where he oversaw a revenue increase of over $2 billion and nearly tripled the company's market capitalization to $20 billion [2] - The appointment aligns with Portillo's growth strategy and is supported by Engaged Capital, LLC [4][5] Company Overview - Portillo's, founded in 1963, has expanded to over 90 restaurants across 10 states, specializing in Chicago-style food [6] - The company is known for its hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, char-grilled burgers, fresh salads, and chocolate cake [6] - Portillo's offers a loyalty program called Portillo's Perks and provides options for online ordering and delivery [7] Leadership and Strategy - Mr. Lee's leadership is expected to enhance Portillo's operational efficiency and growth potential [3][5] - His background includes a focus on team members and customer experience, which aligns with Portillo's values [2][3] - The company aims to create lasting value for guests, team members, and shareholders under Mr. Lee's guidance [3]