John Martin has leadership responsibilities for Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V’s. John, who joined Darden in 2007 as part of the RARE Hospitality acquisition, is an accomplished operator who led Darden’s Specialty Restaurant Group for five years.
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.