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		<title>S-8</title>
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<a name="sE71155B5648F4D2ECFDCE1FDB23A0D3B"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2015</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:right;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Registration No. 333- </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C. 20549</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM S-8</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:18pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:18pt;font-weight:bold;">REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">UNDER</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:12pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:12pt;font-style:italic;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:24pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:24pt;font-weight:bold;">DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="48%"></td><td width="4%"></td><td width="48%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Florida</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">59-3305930</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(State or other jurisdiction of</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">incorporation or organization)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(I.R.S. employer</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">identification no.)</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">1000 Darden Center Drive</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Orlando, Florida 32837</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Darden Savings Plan</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Full title of the plan)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Anthony G. Morrow, Esq.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Corporate Secretary</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Darden Restaurants, Inc.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">1000 Darden Center Drive</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">Orlando, Florida 32837</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">(407) 245-5005</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">(Name, address and telephone number,</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">including area code, of agent for service)</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of &#8220;large accelerated filer,&#8221; &#8220;accelerated filer&#8221; and &#8220;smaller reporting company&#8221; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:9pt;">&#32;</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="7"></td></tr><tr><td width="22%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="3%"></td><td width="44%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="26%"></td><td width="3%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Large accelerated filer</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">x</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Accelerated filer</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">&#168;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Non-accelerated filer</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">&#168;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Smaller reporting company</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:Wingdings;font-size:10pt;">&#168;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;">&#160;</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s096c449ce0c4457e953445e1eec3048f"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:144%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="13"></td></tr><tr><td width="8%"></td><td width="29%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="16%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="11%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="17%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="12%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="12" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Title of securities</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">to be registered</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">to be</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">registered (1)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">maximum</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">offering price</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">per share or</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">stock option</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Proposed</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">maximum</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">aggregate</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">offering price</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Amount of</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">registration fee</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Common Stock, without par value(2)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">150,000 shares</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$69.18(3)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">$10,377,000.00(3)</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid 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style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="12" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(1)</font></div></td><td colspan="12" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">The number of shares of common stock being registered is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(2)</font></div></td><td colspan="12" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Includes rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, which rights are attached to and trade with the common stock.  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">(3)</font></div></td><td colspan="12" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h)(1) under the Securities Act based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant's Common Stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange as reported in the consolidated reporting system on September 16, 2015.</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;">&#160;</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s9560afc2dd4a4121afdde36687061768"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">EXPLANATORY NOTE</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;) has prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 150,000 shares of its Common Stock, without par value (the &#8220;Additional Shares&#8221;), available for grant under the Darden Savings Plan.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;text-indent:48px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, this Registration Statement incorporates by reference the Registrant&#8217;s following Registration Statements, except as otherwise updated or modified in this Registration Statement: Form S-8 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2005 (File Number 333-124363) and Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 24, 1995 (File Number 333-92702).  </font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">PART II</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">ITEM 8. Exhibits.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.78632478632478%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="8%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="91%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Incorporation as amended on May 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Form of Certificate of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.3</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on June 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.4</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on September 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed September 21, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.5</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Bylaws as amended effective November 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.6</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Rights Agreement dated as of June 23, 2015, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Determination Letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to qualification of the Darden Savings Plan under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (&#8220;Code&#8221;), and its status as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Code Section 4975(e)(7).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">24</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement).</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;">&#160;</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s6a80be171e4d403d87a5e7ab304c4e9b"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Orlando, State of Florida, on the 21</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">st</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;day of September 2015.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;padding-left:301px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:52.13675213675214%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="9%"></td><td width="2%"></td><td width="89%"></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td colspan="2" style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div 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Lee, Jr.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;border-top:1px solid #000000;"><div style="text-align:left;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Eugene I. Lee, Jr.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">President and Chief Executive Officer</font></div><div style="font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">POWER OF ATTORNEY</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eugene I. 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Morrow, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, relating to the Darden Savings Plan, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as might or could be done in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute of substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 21</font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><sup style="vertical-align:top;line-height:120%;font-size:7pt">st</sup></font><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#32;day of September 2015.</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;text-indent:32px;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;width:99.57264957264957%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="5"></td></tr><tr><td width="42%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="55%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Signature</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Title</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Eugene I. 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Blum</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Bradley D. Blum</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ James P. 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Lenehan</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">William H. Lenehan</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Lionel L. Nowell, III</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Lionel L. Nowell, III</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ William S. Simon</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">William S. Simon</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Jeffrey C. Smith</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Charles M. Sonsteby</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director and Chairman of the Board</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Charles M. Sonsteby</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">/s/ Alan N. Stillman</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Alan N. Stillman</font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Director</font></div></td></tr></table></div><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:99.57264957264957%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="5"></td></tr><tr><td width="42%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="55%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:66px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:66px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:66px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:66px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:66px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><br><div><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;">&#160;</font></div></div><hr style="page-break-after:always"><a name="s62615926ad054f3fac5e6329b4fbae3b"></a><div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;"><br></font></div></div><br><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><div style="line-height:120%;text-align:center;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><div style="padding-left:0px;text-indent:0px;line-height:normal;padding-top:10px;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:10pt;width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;text-align:left;"><tr><td colspan="3"></td></tr><tr><td width="8%"></td><td width="1%"></td><td width="91%"></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;"><br></font></div><div style="padding-bottom:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit No.</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:center;padding-left:2px;font-size:8pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:8pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit Description</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;height:18px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Incorporation as amended on May 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Form of Certificate of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.3</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on June 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.4</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:justify;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on September 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed September 21, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.5</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Bylaws as amended effective November 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">4.6</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Rights Agreement dated as of June 23, 2015, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">5.1</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Determination Letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to qualification of the Darden Savings Plan under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (&#8220;Code&#8221;), and its status as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Code Section 4975(e)(7).</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">23.2</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Consent of KPMG LLP.</font></div></td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">24</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:bottom;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="overflow:hidden;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">&#160;</font></div></td><td style="vertical-align:top;padding-left:2px;padding-top:2px;padding-bottom:2px;padding-right:2px;"><div style="padding-bottom:2px;text-align:left;padding-left:2px;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;">Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement).</font></div></td></tr></table></div></div><div style="line-height:120%;font-size:10pt;"><font style="font-family:inherit;font-size:10pt;"><br></font></div><br><div><div style="line-height:132%;text-align:justify;font-size:10.5pt;"><font style="font-family:Arial;font-size:10.5pt;">&#160;</font></div></div>	</body>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC", "cik": "0000940944", "assigned-sic": "5812", "irs-number": "593305930", "state-of-incorporation": "FL", "fiscal-year-end": "0529"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-207061", "film-number": "151117759"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE", "city": "ORLANDO", "state": "FL", "zip": "32837", "phone": "4072454000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE", "city": "ORLANDO", "state": "FL", "zip": "32837"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "GENERAL MILLS RESTAURANTS INC", "date-changed": "19950313"}}
S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2015
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida
59-3305930
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. employer
identification no.)
1000 Darden Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32837
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip code)
Darden Savings Plan
(Full title of the plan)
Anthony G. Morrow, Esq.
Corporate Secretary
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
1000 Darden Center Drive
Orlando, Florida 32837
(407) 245-5005
(Name, address and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
to be registered
Amount
to be
registered (1)
Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share or
stock option
Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price
Amount of
registration fee
Common Stock, without par value(2)
150,000 shares
$69.18(3)
$10,377,000.00(3)
$1,206.00
(1)
The number of shares of common stock being registered is subject to adjustment to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Includes rights to purchase shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, which rights are attached to and trade with the common stock.  In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1993, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described herein.
(3)
Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h)(1) under the Securities Act based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the registrant's Common Stock traded on the New York Stock Exchange as reported in the consolidated reporting system on September 16, 2015.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the "Registrant") has prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 150,000 shares of its Common Stock, without par value (the "Additional Shares"), available for grant under the Darden Savings Plan.
Pursuant to General Instruction E to Form S-8, this Registration Statement incorporates by reference the Registrant's following Registration Statements, except as otherwise updated or modified in this Registration Statement: Form S-8 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2005 (File Number 333-124363) and Form S-8 filed with the SEC on May 24, 1995 (File Number 333-92702).
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 8. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
4.1
Articles of Incorporation as amended on May 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005).
4.2
Form of Certificate of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).
4.3
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on June 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).
4.4
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on September 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed September 21, 2015).
4.5
Bylaws as amended effective November 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).
4.6
Rights Agreement dated as of June 23, 2015, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).
5.1
Determination Letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to qualification of the Darden Savings Plan under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and its status as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Code Section 4975(e)(7).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Orlando, State of Florida, on the 21
st
day of September 2015.
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
By:
/s/ Eugene I. Lee, Jr.
Eugene I. Lee, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eugene I. Lee, Jr., Jeffrey A. Davis and Anthony G. Morrow, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and any or all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, relating to the Darden Savings Plan, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as might or could be done in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or their substitute of substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 21
st
day of September 2015.
Signature
Title
/s/ Eugene I. Lee, Jr.
Eugene I. Lee, Jr.
/s/ Jeffrey A. Davis
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Jeffrey A. Davis
/s/ Margaret Shân Atkins
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
Margaret Shân Atkins
/s/ Jean M. Birch
Director
Jean M. Birch
Director
/
s/ Bradley D. Blum
Bradley D. Blum
/s/ James P. Fogarty
Director
James P. Fogarty
/s/ Cynthia T. Jamison
Director
Cynthia T. Jamison
/s/ William H. Lenehan
Director
William H. Lenehan
/s/ Lionel L. Nowell, III
Director
Lionel L. Nowell, III
/s/ William S. Simon
Director
William S. Simon
/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith
Director
Jeffrey C. Smith
/s/ Charles M. Sonsteby
Director and Chairman of the Board
Charles M. Sonsteby
/s/ Alan N. Stillman
Director
Alan N. Stillman
Director
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Exhibit Description
4.1
Articles of Incorporation as amended on May 26, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 29, 2005).
4.2
Form of Certificate of Amendment (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).
4.3
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on June 23, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).
4.4
Articles of Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, as amended on September 18, 2015 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed September 21, 2015).
4.5
Bylaws as amended effective November 11, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2014).
4.6
Rights Agreement dated as of June 23, 2015, between the Registrant and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 23, 2015).
5.1
Determination Letter from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to qualification of the Darden Savings Plan under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and its status as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under Code Section 4975(e)(7).
23.2
Consent of KPMG LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included in the signature page to this Registration Statement).