Edgar Filing: DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC

Form 8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report: March 24, 2011 (Date of earliest event reported)

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 1-13666

Florida

59-3305930

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

1000 Darden Center Drive, Orlando, Florida 32837

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(407) 245-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a news release dated March 24, 2011, entitled “Darden Restaurants Reports 14% Increase In Third Quarter Diluted Net Earnings Per Share And Announces Quarterly Dividend Of 32 Cents Per Share,” a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 2.02 in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99 hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits.


Exhibit Number		Description

99		News release dated March 24, 2011, entitled “Darden Restaurants Reports 14% Increase In Third Quarter Diluted Net Earnings Per Share And Announces Quarterly Dividend Of 32 Cents Per Share.”

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

By:		/s/ C. Bradford Richmond
		C. Bradford Richmond Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Date: March 24, 2011

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit

99		News release dated March 24, 2011, entitled “Darden Restaurants Reports 14% Increase In Third Quarter Diluted Net Earnings Per Share And Announces Quarterly Dividend Of 32 Cents Per Share.”