<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000940944-05-000045
<TYPE>8-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>4
<PERIOD>20050322
<ITEMS>2.02
<ITEMS>5.02
<ITEMS>9.01
<FILING-DATE>20050323
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20050323
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
<CIK>0000940944
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5812
<IRS-NUMBER>593305930
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>FL
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0526
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>8-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-13666
<FILM-NUMBER>05699655
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DR
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
<PHONE>4072454000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DRIVE
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>GENERAL MILLS RESTAURANTS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19950313
</FORMER-COMPANY>
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<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form8k_032205.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8K 3/22/05
<TEXT>

================================================================================


                                  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 22, 2005
                        (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.)

                 5900 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32809
          (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))

================================================================================


<PAGE>


Item 2.02  Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

     Darden Restaurants,  Inc. (the "Company") issued a news release dated March
23,  2005,  entitled  "Darden  Restaurants  Reports  Third  Quarter  Diluted Net
Earnings  Per Share of 56 Cents;  Increases  Outlook for Fiscal 2005 Diluted Net
Earnings  Per Share  Growth;  Declares  Dividend,"  a copy of which is furnished
herewith as Exhibit 99(a) to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

     The  information  under this Item 2.02 in this Current  Report on Form 8-K,
including  Exhibit  99(a)  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 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal  Officers;  Election of Directors;
          Appointment of Principal Officers.

     (d) On March 22,  2005,  the  Company's  Board of Directors  increased  the
number of  directors  of the  Company  from 12 to 14,  and  elected  Charles  A.
Ledsinger,  Jr. and William M. Lewis,  Jr. to serve as  directors,  in each case
effective June 16, 2005 or such other date in June 2005 when the Board meets for
its next regular meeting (the "Effective  Date"),  as further  described in news
releases dated March 23, 2005, entitled "William M. Lewis, Jr. Elected to Darden
Restaurants Board" and "Charles A. Ledsinger,  Jr. Elected to Darden Restaurants
Board,"  copies of which are  furnished  herewith as  Exhibits  99(b) and 99(c),
respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

     The Board  determined  that, in its judgment,  Mr.  Ledsinger and Mr. Lewis
each satisfy the  requirements  for  "independence"  set forth in the  Company's
Corporate  Governance  Guidelines and the applicable rules of the New York Stock
Exchange.  There were no  arrangements or  understandings  pursuant to which the
directors were elected or any relationships or related  transactions between the
Company  and the new  directors  of the  type  required  to be  disclosed  under
applicable  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  rules.  The Board has not yet
determined the committees of the board to which the new directors will be named.

                                       2

<PAGE>



Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)  Exhibits.

     The following exhibit is being furnished with this Current Report:

     Exhibit Number
     (by reference to
     Item 601 of
     Regulation S-K)  Description

         99(a)        Press Release dated March 23, 2005, entitled "Darden
                      Restaurants Reports Third Quarter Diluted Net Earnings
                      Per Share of 56 Cents; Increases Outlook for Fiscal 2005
                      Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Growth; Declares Dividend."

         99(b)        Press Release dated March 22, 2005, entitled "William M.
                      Lewis, Jr. Elected to Darden Restaurants Board."

         99(c)        Press Release dated March 22, 2005, entitled "Charles A.
                      Ledsinger, Jr. Elected to Darden Restaurants Board."


                                       3

<PAGE>


                                    SIGNATURE

     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/ Paula J. Shives
                                          ---------------------------
                                          Paula J. Shives
                                          Senior Vice President, General Counsel
                                          and Secretary




Date:  March 23, 2005

























                                       4

<PAGE>




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number        Description of Exhibit

         99(a)        Press Release dated Match 23, 2005, entitled "Darden
                      Restaurants Reports Third Quarter Diluted Net Earnings
                      Per Share of 56 Cents; Increases Outlook for Fiscal 2005
                      Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Growth; Declares Dividend."

         99(b)        Press Release dated March 22, 2005, entitled "William M.
                      Lewis, Jr. Elected to Darden Restaurants Board."

         99(c)        Press Release dated March 22, 2005, entitled "Charles A.
                      Ledsinger, Jr. Elected to Darden Restaurants Board."












                                       5
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>exhibit99a_032205.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX 99(A) EARNINGS RELEASE 3/23/05
<TEXT>
                                                                   Exhibit 99(a)
DARDEN RESTAURANTS
Red Lobster(R) Olive Garden(R)
Bahama Breeze(R) Smokey Bones(R)
         www.darden.com
                                                       NEWS/INFORMATION
                                                       Corporate Relations
                                                       P.O. Box 593330
                                                       Orlando, FL  32859

                                      Contacts:
                                      (Analysts) Matthew Stroud   (407) 245-6458
                                      (Media) Mike Bernstein      (407) 245-4567
FOR RELEASE
March 23, 2005
4:15 PM ET

          DARDEN RESTAURANTS REPORTS THIRD QUARTER DILUTED NET EARNINGS
      PER SHARE OF 56 CENTS; INCREASES OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL 2005 DILUTED NET
                  EARNINGS PER SHARE GROWTH; DECLARES DIVIDEND

ORLANDO, FL, March 23 - Darden Restaurants,  Inc. today reported quarterly sales
of $1.38 billion for the third quarter ended  February 27, 2005, and diluted net
earnings per share of 56 cents, a 24% increase over the prior year.

"We had an outstanding  quarter,  with sales and earnings growth that were among
the strongest in casual dining," said Clarence Otis, Chief Executive  Officer of
Darden.  "These  results  reflect the  tremendous  efforts of the  talented  and
committed teams in our restaurants and in our restaurant support center.  People
at Darden are passionate about nourishing and delighting  everyone we serve, and
about fully capturing the exciting  opportunity we have in casual dining.  We'll
achieve these goals by combining brand  excellence with  competitively  superior
in-restaurant  operations  and  restaurant  support.  This  quarter,  all of our
business units made good progress in each of these critically important areas."

Highlights for the quarter ended February 27, 2005, include the following:

o    Net  earnings  in the third  quarter  were  $92.6  million  or 56 cents per
     diluted  share,  on sales of $1.38  billion.  Last year,  net earnings were
     $77.1 million, or 45 cents per diluted share, on sales of $1.24 billion.

o    Total sales of $1.38 billion represent a 10.8% increase over prior year.

o    Olive Garden reported its 42nd consecutive quarter of U.S.  same-restaurant
     sales growth with a 10.5% increase.

o    Red Lobster  reported  U.S.  same-restaurant  sales  growth of 5.1% for the
     quarter.





                                     -MORE-
                                       -2-

o    The Company incurred costs related to the impairment of one Red Lobster and
     one Olive Garden restaurant which reduced diluted net earnings per share by
     approximately  one cent.  However,  the Company's tax rate this quarter was
     slightly  lower  compared  to  last  year  as a  result  of  the  favorable
     resolution  of prior year tax  matters  and  increased  tax  credits.  This
     benefit added  approximately  one cent to diluted earnings per share in the
     quarter.

o    The Company  expects  diluted net earnings per share growth for fiscal 2005
     in the range of 31% to 33% on a GAAP basis, which is an 19% to 21% increase
     excluding the asset  impairment  and  restructuring  charge ($23.1  million
     after tax or $0.14 per diluted share) in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

o    The Company  announced  that today the Board of  Directors  declared a cash
     dividend of 4 cents per share on the  Company's  outstanding  common stock.
     The  dividend  is payable on May 1, 2005 to  shareholders  of record at the
     close of business on April 8, 2005.

o    The Company  continued  its  repurchase  of shares,  buying back almost 3.7
     million shares of its common stock in the quarter.

Operating Highlights

OLIVE  GARDEN'S  record third quarter  sales of $627.8  million were 13.9% above
prior year, driven by a same-restaurant sales increase of 10.5% and revenue from
22 net  new  restaurants  in  operation  versus  last  year.  This  is the  42nd
consecutive quarter of same-restaurant  sales growth for Olive Garden and builds
on a 5.4%  increase in the third  quarter  last year.  The  company's  increased
sales, combined with lower selling,  general and administrative and depreciation
and  amortization  expenses  as a  percent  of sales  resulted  in  double-digit
operating  profit  growth,  record  operating  profit and record returns for the
third quarter.

RED LOBSTER'S  third quarter sales of $636.1 million were 5.4% above prior year,
driven by a  same-restaurant  sales  increase of 5.1%.  Red Lobster's  increased
sales  along  with  lower  restaurant  expense  as a percent  of sales and lower
depreciation  and  amortization  expense  as a  percent  of sales,  resulted  in
near-record operating profit for the third quarter.

BAHAMA BREEZE delivered  improved  financial  performance  this quarter.  Bahama
Breeze achieved lower cost of sales,  labor expense and restaurant  expense as a
percent of sales while  strengthening the guest experience it provides.  It also
substantially  reduced its operating  loss compared to prior year despite having
five fewer restaurants in operation.

SMOKEY BONES opened 15 restaurants during the third quarter,  bringing the total
through the end of the third  quarter to 29 openings.  In addition,  the company
has opened  four more  restaurants  since the end of the  quarter.  As a result,
Smokey  Bones now operates 102  restaurants.  It expects to open 35  restaurants
during the fiscal year.

<PAGE>


                                     -MORE-
                                       -3-


"Darden  delivered  outstanding  operating  performance this quarter," said Drew
Madsen,  President and Chief Operating Officer for Darden. "Olive Garden led the
way with tremendous sales and operating profit growth combined with strong guest
satisfaction.  Red Lobster continued to make excellent  progress on key business
fundamentals  and achieved record guest  satisfaction  scores resulting in solid
growth in sales and operating  profit.  Bahama Breeze's  strengthening  business
model led to a substantial  improvement  in financial  performance  this quarter
while Smokey Bones  continued  its rapid growth  without  compromising  the high
level of guest experience it offers."


Outlook

The Company  expects diluted net earnings per share growth for fiscal 2005 to be
in the  range  of 31 to 33% on a GAAP  basis,  which  is an 19% to 21%  increase
excluding the asset impairment and restructuring charge ($23.1 million after tax
or $0.14 per diluted  share) in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 2004.  The Company
had previously  estimated that diluted net earnings per share growth would be in
the range of 10% to 15% in  fiscal  2005  excluding  the  asset  impairment  and
restructuring charge taken in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004.

Other Actions

Darden announced that today the Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of 4
cents per share on the  Company's  outstanding  common  stock.  The  dividend is
payable on May 1, 2005 to  shareholders  of record at the close of  business  on
April 8,  2005.  Based on this  4-cent  semi-annual  dividend  declaration,  the
Company's indicated annual dividend is 8 cents per share.

The Company  continued  the buyback of its common stock,  purchasing  almost 3.7
million  shares in the third  quarter.  Since  December  1995,  the  Company has
repurchased  116.1 million  shares under  authorizations  totaling 137.4 million
shares.

February 2005 U.S. Same-Restaurant Sales Results

Darden  reported U.S.  same-restaurant  sales for the four-week  February fiscal
month ended February 27, 2005.  This period is the last month of Darden's fiscal
2005 third quarter.

Same-restaurant  sales at Olive Garden increased almost 13% for fiscal February,
which  reflected  an 11% to 12% increase in guest  counts and  approximately  2%
increase in check average due primarily to pricing.  Last year, Olive Garden had
an increase of 4% to 5% in same-restaurant sales during fiscal February.

Same-restaurant  sales  at Red  Lobster  increased  approximately  9% to 10% for
fiscal February, which reflected an increase of approximately 7% in guest counts
and an  increase  of  approximately  2% to 3% in  check  average  from  menu mix
changes.  Last year, Red Lobster reported a 0% to 1% increase in same-restaurant
sales during fiscal February.

The Company estimates that this year's shift of Valentine's Day from Saturday to
Monday positively  affected  same-restaurant  sales results at both Olive Garden
and Red Lobster by  approximately 2 to 3 percentage  points.  Additionally,  the
Company   estimates   that   adverse   winter   weather   negatively    affected
same-restaurant   sales  results  at  both  Olive  Garden  and  Red  Lobster  by
approximately one percentage point.

<PAGE>

                                     -MORE-
                                      -4-


Darden Restaurants,  Inc.,  headquartered in Orlando, FL, owns and operates over
1,350 Red Lobster,  Olive  Garden,  Bahama  Breeze,  Smokey Bones and Seasons 52
restaurants with annual sales of over $5.0 billion.



Forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, are made under the Safe
Harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.
Certain  important  factors could cause results to differ  materially from those
anticipated by the forward-looking  statements,  the impact of changing economic
or business conditions, the impact of competition, the availability of favorable
credit and trade  terms,  the impact of changes in the cost or  availability  of
food  and  real  estate,  government  regulation,  construction  costs,  weather
conditions and other factors discussed from time to time in reports filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                              NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS

        02/27/05                                                        02/22/04
        --------                                                        --------
             648               Red Lobster USA                               649
              31               Red Lobster Canada                             31
          ------               ------------------                         ------
             679               Total Red Lobster                             680

             550               Olive Garden USA                              528
               6               Olive Garden Canada                             6
         -------               -------------------                       -------
             556               Total Olive Garden                            534

              32               Bahama Breeze                                  37

              98               Smokey Bones BBQ                               59

               3               Seasons 52                                      1
         -------                                                         -------

           1,368               Total Restaurants                           1,311








                                     -MORE-

<PAGE>

                                       -5-


                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                      (In thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          13 Weeks Ended                      39 Weeks Ended
                                                   02/27/2005        02/22/2004         2/27/2005         2/22/2004
                                                   ----------        ----------         ---------         ---------
                                                                   (as restated)                       (as restated)

<S>                                              <C>               <C>                <C>               <C>
Sales                                            $ 1,375,879       $ 1,241,952        $ 3,883,896       $ 3,644,184
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales:
     Food and beverage                               412,863           372,544          1,172,320         1,115,457
     Restaurant labor                                435,660           391,019          1,242,190         1,158,968
     Restaurant expenses                             206,918           190,310            604,222           576,087
       Total cost of sales (1)                   $ 1,055,441       $   953,873        $ 3,018,732       $ 2,850,512
  Selling, general and administrative                126,488           113,552            371,853           347,513
  Depreciation and amortization                       52,721            52,179            158,657           155,780
  Interest, net                                       10,405            10,944             32,376            32,310
       Total costs and expenses                  $ 1,245,055       $ 1,130,548        $ 3,581,618       $ 3,386,115
Earnings before income taxes                         130,824           111,404            302,278           258,069
Income taxes                                         (38,194)          (34,316)           (95,661)          (83,577)
Net earnings                                     $    92,630       $    77,088        $   206,617       $   174,492

Net earnings per share:
  Basic                                          $      0.59       $      0.47        $      1.31       $      1.06
  Diluted                                        $      0.56       $      0.45        $      1.26       $      1.02

Average number of common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                              157,300           164,200            157,200           164,600
  Diluted                                            164,500           170,100            163,800           170,600



(1) Excludes restaurant depreciation and
    amortization as follows:                     $    49,047       $    48,690        $   147,752       $   145,215
</TABLE>








                                     -MORE-


<PAGE>



                                       -6-



                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                 2/27/2005            5/30/2004
                                                 ---------            ---------
                                                                   (as restated)
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                   $    87,782          $    36,694
   Receivables                                      47,610               30,258
   Inventories                                     271,088              198,781
   Assets held for sale                                599                   --
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets        29,036               25,316
   Deferred income taxes                            60,693               55,258
       Total current assets                    $   496,808          $   346,307
Land, buildings and equipment                    2,318,359            2,250,616
Other assets                                       180,672              183,425
       Total assets                            $ 2,995,839          $ 2,780,348

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                            $   186,482          $   174,624
   Short-term debt                                      --               14,500
   Accrued payroll                                 112,273              103,327
   Accrued income taxes                             80,151               48,753
   Other accrued taxes                              41,211               38,440
   Unearned revenues                               103,440               75,513
   Current portion of long-term debt               299,887                   --
   Other current liabilities                       263,630              228,324
       Total current liabilities               $ 1,087,074          $   683,481
Long-term debt, less current portion               351,412              653,349
Deferred income taxes                              120,125              132,690
Deferred rent                                      128,722              122,879
Other liabilities                                   20,785               12,661
       Total liabilities                       $ 1,708,118          $ 1,605,060

Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock and surplus                    $ 1,661,683          $ 1,584,115
   Retained earnings                             1,328,019            1,127,653
   Treasury stock                               (1,649,985)          (1,483,768)
   Accumulated other comprehensive income           (8,204)             (10,173)
   Unearned compensation                           (43,076)             (41,401)
   Officer notes receivable                           (716)              (1,138)
       Total stockholders' equity              $ 1,287,721          $ 1,175,288
       Total liabilities and
         stockholders' equity                  $ 2,995,839          $ 2,780,348






                                     -MORE-


<PAGE>


                                       -7-


                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                   THIRD QUARTER FY 2005 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                      (In millions, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                13  Weeks Ended                    39 Weeks Ended
                                                            2/27/2005        2/22/2004         2/27/2005        2/22/2004
                                                            ---------        ---------         ---------        ---------
                                                                           (as restated)                      (as restated)
<S>                                                         <C>             <C>                <C>              <C>
Sales                                                       $ 1,375.9       $  1,242.0         $ 3,883.9        $ 3,644.2

Net Earnings                                                $    92.6       $     77.1         $   206.6        $   174.5

Net Earnings per Share:
  Basic                                                     $    0.59       $     0.47         $    1.31        $    1.06
  Diluted                                                   $    0.56       $     0.45         $    1.26        $    1.02

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
  Basic                                                         157.3            164.2             157.2            164.6
  Diluted                                                       164.5            170.1             163.8            170.6

</TABLE>





                                                         -END-


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>exhibit99b_032205.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99B LEWIS RELEASE
<TEXT>

                                                                   Exhibit 99(b)


DARDEN RESTAURANTS
Red Lobster(R) Olive Garden(R)
Bahama Breeze(R) Smokey Bones(R)
         www.darden.com
                                                       NEWS/INFORMATION
                                                       Corporate Relations
                                                       P.O. Box 593330
                                                       Orlando, FL  32859

                                    Contacts:
                                    (Analysts) Matthew Stroud   (407) 245-6458
                                    (Media)    Mike Bernstein   (407) 245-5270
FOR RELEASE
March 22, 2005
4:30 PM EST


            WILLIAM M. LEWIS, JR. ELECTED TO DARDEN RESTAURANTS BOARD

ORLANDO, FL - Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE:DRI) has elected William M. Lewis,
Jr., Managing Director and Co-Chairman of Investment  Banking at Lazard Freres &
Co.  LLC,  to its board of  directors,  effective  June  2005.  Darden  owns and
operates Red Lobster,  Olive Garden,  Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones  Barbeque &
Grill restaurant companies.

"Bill Lewis brings a wealth of experience to Darden,  including strong expertise
in corporate strategy  generally and financial  strategy in particular.  He will
add significant value to Darden as we continue to grow as casual dining's market
share leader," said Clarence Otis, Darden's Chief Executive Officer.  "Bill is a
highly  respected  financial  services  industry leader and will be a tremendous
asset to our company."

"I am  delighted  to be joining  the board of one of the premier  casual  dining
companies in the world," said Lewis. "Darden is a great company with an exciting
future."

Lazard Freres is a global bank with a 150-year  history of providing its clients
strategic advice and creative solutions in the major business areas of financial
advice, asset management and capital markets.

"That  Bill  has  agreed  to join  our  board  is a  testament  to the  exciting
opportunities  we have at Darden and to the company's strong  leadership,"  said
Joe Lee, Chairman of Darden's Board of Directors.  "Bill further strengthens our
talented Board."

Prior to joining Lazard in 2004,  Mr. Lewis was a Managing  Director and Co-Head
of the Global Banking Department at Morgan Stanley, where he was responsible for
the firm's global  industry  practices and regions.  Between 1994 and 2004,  Mr.
Lewis was head or co-head of each of Morgan Stanley's  origination and execution
businesses.  In  addition to the Global  Banking  Department,  these  businesses
included  the Global  Mergers  and  Acquisition  Department  and Morgan  Stanley
Realty, the firm's real estate investment banking and investing businesses.

                                     -MORE-
<PAGE>


Mr. Lewis is involved in a number of not-for-profit activities including the New
York City Department of Education Fund for Public  Schools,  the American Museum
of Natural History, the Central Park Conservancy,  the NAACP Legal Defense Fund,
Phillips Academy, and the Cancer Research Institute.  He has served as treasurer
of the  National  Urban League and  chairman of A Better  Chance.  Mr. Lewis was
elected to the board of Freddie Mac [NYSE:FRE] in November, 2004.

Mr. Lewis was born in Richmond,  Virginia. He graduated with honors in economics
from Harvard College and earned an MBA from Harvard Business  School.  Mr. Lewis
is married to Carol Sutton Lewis, a lawyer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.

Darden Restaurants,  Inc.,  headquartered in Orlando, FL, owns and operates over
1,350  restaurants  with  annual  sales of over $5.0  billion.  It is the casual
dining leader in terms of market share and sales.

Forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, are made under the Safe
Harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.
Certain  important  factors could cause results to differ  materially from those
anticipated by the forward-looking statements,  including the impact of changing
economic or business conditions, the impact of competition,  the availability of
favorable  credit  and  trade  terms,  the  impact  of  changes  in the  cost or
availability of food and real estate, government regulation, construction costs,
weather  conditions  and other  factors  discussed  from time to time in reports
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                      -END-

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>exhibit99c_032205.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 99C LEDSINGER RELEASE
<TEXT>

                                                                   Exhibit 99(c)


DARDEN RESTAURANTS
Red Lobster(R) Olive Garden(R)
Bahama Breeze(R) Smokey Bones(R)
         www.darden.com
                                                            NEWS/INFORMATION
                                                            Corporate Relations
                                                            P.O. Box 593330
                                                            Orlando, FL  32859

                                    Contacts:
                                    (Analysts) Matthew Stroud   (407) 245-6458
                                    (Media)    Mike Bernstein   (407) 245-5270
FOR RELEASE
March 22, 2005
4:30 PM EST


          CHARLES A. LEDSINGER, JR. ELECTED TO DARDEN RESTAURANTS BOARD

Orlando,  FL - Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.  (NYSE:DRI),  has  elected  Charles A.
Ledsinger, Jr., to its board of directors,  effective June 2005. Darden owns and
operates Red Lobster,  Olive Garden,  Bahama Breeze, and Smokey Bones Barbeque &
Grill restaurant companies.

Mr.  Ledsinger  is  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Choice  Hotels
International [NYSE:CHH], one of the world's largest hotel franchisers with more
than 5,000 hotels open and under  development  in 44 countries and  territories.
The Silver Spring,  Maryland-based  company  franchises the Comfort Inn, Comfort
Suites,  Quality,  Econo Lodge,  Clarion,  Sleep Inn,  Rodeway Inn, and MainStay
Suites hotels.  The Choice worldwide system generates in excess of $4 billion in
annual revenue.

"We are honored  and  excited to welcome  Chuck  Ledsinger  to our board,"  said
Clarence Otis, Darden's Chief Executive Officer. "His years of proven leadership
in the hospitality  industry will be a tremendous  asset to Darden as we explore
the next frontier of casual dining growth."

"I am pleased to join the Darden  Restaurants board because of its commitment to
excellence in casual dining," said  Ledsinger.  "Darden has become the leader in
its field by understanding  how to provide true hospitality and consistent value
at all of its restaurants."

Under  Ledsinger's  leadership,  Choice has launched a number of  initiatives to
reach more consumers,  deliver  exceptional  services,  and build strong brands.
These  include the  successful  re-imaging of the  company's  Quality,  Comfort,
Comfort  Suite,  and Sleep Inn brands and the "thanks for  traveling"  marketing
campaign in response to the travel slowdown following the 2001 terrorist attacks
on America.

In 2002,  Ledsinger was named the  industry's  top  performing  chief  executive
officer  for 2001 by HVS  Executive  Search,  a  division  of the  global  hotel
consulting  firm HVS  International.  The annual award honors the CEO who offers
the best value to shareholders on a pay per performance model.

                                    - MORE -
<PAGE>

"Chuck  brings  to  Darden's  Board  a  good  understanding  of  multi-unit  and
multi-brand  management," said Joe Lee, Chairman of the Board of Darden. "Choice
Hotels and Darden share a similar commitment to excellence."

Ledsinger  joined  Choice in August,  1998 after  serving as President and Chief
Operating  Officer of The St. Joe Company,  Florida's  largest private landowner
and  developer  of  master  planned   communities,   commercial  and  industrial
facilities, resorts and location based entertainment.

Prior to joining St. Joe in 1997, he spent nearly 20 years at Promus  Companies,
Inc., now owned by Hilton Corporation.  He held a number of financial management
positions, including serving as its Chief Financial Officer.

Ledsinger serves on the boards of Choice Hotels International [NYSE:CHH], FelCor
Lodging Trust Inc. [NYSE:FCH], and TBC Corporation [NASDAQ:TBCC].

A Memphis native and a graduate of the University of Virginia,  Ledsinger earned
an MBA  degree  from the  University  of  Memphis.  He lives  with his family in
Bethesda, Maryland.

Darden Restaurants,  Inc.,  headquartered in Orlando, FL, owns and operates over
1,350 restaurants with annual sales of over $5.0 billion. It is the market share
and sales leader in casual dining.

Forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, are made under the Safe
Harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.
Certain  important  factors could cause results to differ  materially from those
anticipated by the forward-looking statements,  including the impact of changing
economic or business conditions, the impact of competition,  the availability of
favorable  credit  and  trade  terms,  the  impact  of  changes  in the  cost or
availability of food and real estate, government regulation, construction costs,
weather  conditions  and other  factors  discussed  from time to time in reports
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                      -END-

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
