Unlimited pushback. Darden Restaurants’ CEO Gene Lee just won the annual “Golden Chain Award” from trade magazine Nation’s Restaurant News—and some people are pissed. On Wednesday, a group of 15 environmental, animal welfare and worker justice organizations published an open letter in protest, decrying the company, which operates a suite of “casual dining” chains including Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille.
“While at the helm of Darden Restaurants, Mr. Lee has failed to show excellence in leadership in terms of improving conditions for employees, protecting the environment, fostering humane treatment of farm animals, or promoting the health of Darden Restaurants’ customers,” write the signees, including the Food Chain Workers Alliance, the Animal Welfare Institute, and Friends of the Earth. In theory, the Golden Chain recognizes companies for general excellence and “a dedication to giving back.”
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