Sarah King serves as Darden’s Chief People Officer. A member of Darden’s Executive Team, she leads the execution of Darden’s people strategy as well as building organizational capability and employee culture to further enable Darden’s growth. She is also responsible for all aspects of the HR functions within Darden, including oversight of the HR organizations within each of Darden’s operating companies.
Prior to joining Darden in 2017, Sarah spent 19 years with Wyndham Worldwide Corporation where she worked closely with operators and executive leaders to execute successful people initiatives around the world. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President, Human Resources for Wyndham Vacation Ownership. In this role, Sarah was responsible for developing and rolling out the company’s people strategy, which focused on enhancing the culture to attract, engage and retain top talent.
A native of New Zealand, Sarah studied communications at the Auckland University of Technology.
Thomas Hall is the Executive Vice President of Operations for LongHorn Steakhouse and an Officer of the parent company, Darden Restaurants, Inc. He is responsible for the operation of more than 550 restaurants with 35,000 team members and $2.5 billion in annual sales. Thomas leads a team of five divisional Senior Vice Presidents in delivering against LongHorn’s strategy and providing a quality experience for guests.
Known for its passion for grilling fresh, tender, juicy steaks – including the signature Flo’s Filet and the Outlaw Ribeye – LongHorn welcomes guests with a warm, inviting, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of the American West.
Thomas has worked for LongHorn Steakhouse since 2004 and began his career as a dishwasher and grill cook at the brand’s fifth location in Sandy Springs, Ga. He progressed to become the Managing Partner of the same location, Director of Operations, and most recently, Senior Vice President of the Houston Division.
Prior to joining LongHorn Steakhouse, Thomas was an Executive Team Leader at Target. He graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Management Science.
Todd Burrowes was named President of LongHorn Steakhouse in July 2015. Todd, who is also a member of Darden Restaurants’ Executive Team, leads a company with more than 550 restaurants, 35,000 team members and $2.5 billion in annual sales.
Known for its passion for grilling fresh, tender, juicy steaks – including the signature Flo’s Filet and the Outlaw Ribeye – LongHorn welcomes guests with a warm, inviting, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of the American West.
Most recently, Todd served as President, Ruby Tuesday Concept and Chief Operations Officer of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. for two years. Prior to that, Todd spent nearly 10 years at LongHorn in key leadership positions. Todd joined LongHorn in 2002 as a Regional Manager before being promoted to Director of Management Training. In 2004, he was promoted to Regional Vice President of Operations, and in 2008 he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations.
Prior to joining LongHorn, Todd served as Regional Director of Operations for Corner Bakery Café for six years. He began his career with Food Service Innovations, owner of several casual dining concepts including Saltgrass Steakhouse, where he progressed to the position of Vice President of Operations.
Todd graduated magna cum laude from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in History.
Dan Kiernan was named President of Olive Garden in January 2018. Dan, who is also a member of Darden Restaurants’ Executive Team, leads a company with more than 900 restaurants, 100,000 team members and more than $4.5 billion in annual sales.
Prior to his current role, Dan served as Executive Vice President of Operations for Olive Garden for more than six years. In this role, Dan’s unique ability to clarify and simplify complex information led to an enhanced, operations-focused culture at Olive Garden. His people-first approach to management helped drive significant business results for Olive Garden while leading to greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Dan began his career with Olive Garden in 1992 as a Manager in Training and worked his way up through the operations system – moving from General Manager to Director of Operations, to Senior Vice President of the Chicago Division before assuming his most recent role.
Prior to joining Olive Garden, Dan spent 13 years with Marie Callender’s holding various operations positions.
John Martin is President of Darden Restaurants’ Specialty Restaurant Group, which includes two fine-dining brands – The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s – as well as Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, and Yard House. A member of Darden’s Executive Team, John has served as President of The Capital Grille since 2004, President of Eddie V’s since 2014, and President of Seasons 52 since 2018. He was named President of the Specialty Restaurant Group in August 2020.
Together, the brands that make up the Specialty Restaurant Group have more than 250 locations and annual sales of nearly $1.5 billion.
John joined The Capital Grille in 1990 as a manager at the first restaurant in Providence, RI, and held several positions of increasing responsibility before being promoted to Vice President of Operations in 2001. He was named President of the company three years later.
John started his restaurant career in 1986 at Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, which was founded by Ned Grace, who also started The Capital Grille and several other restaurants.
John holds a bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management, as well as an honorary doctorate in Business Administration and Food Service Management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, where he is also a member of the University’s Board of Trustees.
John Wilkerson was named President of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in July 2018. John, who is also a member of Darden Restaurants’ Executive Team, leads a company with more than 180 restaurants, nearly 16,000 team members and $700 million in annual sales.
John has demonstrated strong leadership with a track record of success throughout his 25-year career with Darden. Most recently, he served as President of Bahama Breeze, where he developed and executed a strategic plan that continuously delivered same-restaurant sales growth, improved the guest experience, and transformed the Bahama Breeze culture.
John began his career with Darden as an hourly crew member at Red Lobster before entering the Manager in Training (MIT) program and ultimately being promoted to General Manager. He transitioned to the Restaurant Support Center six years later as Sr. Financial Analyst for Red Lobster. But operations were always his passion — John has held multiple operations leadership roles over the course of his career.
John holds two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of North Alabama – one in Finance and the other in Economics.
Olive Garden Exterior
LongHorn Steakhouse Exterior
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Exterior
Yard House Exterior
Capital Grille Exterior
Seasons 52 Exterior
Bahama Breeze Exterior
Eddie V's Exterior
Darden Support Center Exterior
Olive Garden Exterior
LongHorn Steakhouse Exterior
Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen Exterior
Yard House Exterior
Capital Grille Exterior
Seasons 52 Exterior
Bahama Breeze Exterior
Eddie V's Exterior
Darden Support Center Exterior
Our family of restaurants features some of the most recognizable and popular brands in full-service dining – and our gift cards let you enjoy any of them. No matter the occasion, a Darden Gift Card allows your recipient to celebrate with their favorite meal at any one of our more than 2,000 locations. All gift cards can be redeemed for in-restaurant or takeout meals.
Join our corporate gift card program for additional discounts and benefits on bulk orders. Darden Gift Cards are a great way to recognize your employees, incentivize your sales team or just say thank you to your customers.
You can call us directly at 888-883-5575, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern.
Our family of restaurants features some of the most recognizable and successful brands in full-service dining. Whether creating everyday memories or celebrating a special occasion, we host life’s big and small moments. In each of our 2,100-plus locations, we strive to create exceptional dining experiences by focusing on culinary innovation and execution, attentive service, and engaging and inviting atmospheres.
