Darden appoints Olive Garden executive as chief marketing officer; general counsel to retire

Darden Restaurants names chief marketing officer

ORLANDO, Fla. — Darden Restaurants Inc. will promote an Olive Garden executive to become the company’s new chief marketing officer, the restaurant chain said Friday.

John Caron, 52, who is the executive vice president of marketing at Olive Garden, will become Darden’s first ever CMO.

Meanwhile, the owner of Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other restaurant chains, said its longtime general counsel will retire. Paula Shives, 59, has been with Darden since 1999. She will leave her position in the fall after a successor is chosen.

Darden is based in Orlando, Fla.

It shares fell 48 cents to $44.21 in late afternoon trading Friday.