                                                                      Exhibit 99


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

                              Contacts: (Analysts) Matthew Stroud (407) 245-6458
                                        (Media) Jim DeSimone(407) 245-4567
FOR RELEASE
December 15, 2005
4:30 PM ET

                DARDEN RESTAURANTS REPORTS SECOND QUARTER DILUTED
           NET EARNINGS PER SHARE OF 35 CENTS, UP 35% FROM PRIOR YEAR;
                    RAISES ANNUAL OUTLOOK FOR EARNINGS GROWTH

ORLANDO,  FL, December 15 - Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. (NYSE:DRI) today reported
sales of $1.33  billion for the second  quarter  ended  November 27,  2005,  and
quarterly diluted net earnings per share of 35 cents, up 35% from prior year.

"Our  strong  financial  results  for the quarter  reflect  excellent  operating
momentum across most of our businesses,"  said Clarence Otis,  Darden's Chairman
and  Chief   Executive   Officer.   "Olive   Garden  and  Red  Lobster   enjoyed
industry-leading  same-restaurant  sales  growth,  which  speaks to the power of
those brands and the quality job their teams do every day.  That  combination  -
great brands and great operations - is critical.  And, our emerging  businesses,
Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones,  also continue to strengthen  operationally.  As
they do so,  they are  working  to develop  brands  that are as  compelling  and
durable as Olive  Garden and Red Lobster.  The entire  Company is working on the
right  things and we have the right  people in place -  dedicated  and  talented
people - so we expect continued  momentum  throughout the balance of this fiscal
year. With  competitively  superior people and continued focus on nourishing and
delighting  everyone we serve, we will achieve our ultimate goal, which is to be
the best in casual dining, now and for generations."

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

o    Net  earnings in the second  quarter  were $55.1  million,  or 35 cents per
     diluted  share,  on sales of $1.33  billion.  Last year,  net earnings were
     $43.0 million, or 26 cents per diluted share, on sales of $1.23 billion.

o    Total sales of $1.33 billion represent a 7.8% increase over prior year.

o    Olive Garden achieved its 45th consecutive quarter of U.S.  same-restaurant
     sales growth with a 6.4% increase.

o    Red Lobster  reported  U.S.  same-restaurant  sales  growth of 2.7% for the
     quarter.


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o    The Company continued its share  repurchases,  buying back over 1.7 million
     shares of its common stock in the quarter.

o    The Company  reported  that it now expects  diluted net  earnings per share
     growth for fiscal year 2006 of 15% to 20%, an increase from the  previously
     expected low double-digit growth.

Operating Highlights

OLIVE  GARDEN'S  total second  quarter  sales of $618.4  million were 9.6% above
prior year, driven by a U.S.  same-restaurant sales increase of 6.4% and revenue
from 21 net new  restaurants  in  operation  versus last year.  This is the 45th
consecutive quarter of same-restaurant  sales growth for Olive Garden and builds
on a 5.5% increase in the second quarter of last year.  The company's  increased
sales,  combined  with lower  food and  beverage  costs,  selling,  general  and
administrative  expenses and depreciation  expenses as a percent of sales,  more
than  offset  increased  restaurant  labor  costs and  restaurant  expenses as a
percent of sales.  Olive Garden had record second quarter  operating profit that
also represented double-digit operating profit growth over last year.

RED LOBSTER'S total second quarter sales of $588.8 million were 3.4% above prior
year,  reflecting a U.S.  same-restaurant  sales increase of 2.7%. The company's
increased sales and lower food and beverage costs, restaurant expenses, selling,
general and  administrative  expenses and depreciation  expenses as a percent of
sales more than offset higher  restaurant labor costs as a percent of sales. Red
Lobster had record second quarter  operating  profit that also  represented very
strong double-digit operating profit growth over last year.

BAHAMA BREEZE'S second quarter sales totaled $36.3 million, a 1.9% increase from
prior year.  Same-restaurant  sales also increased  1.9% in the second  quarter,
primarily because of higher guest counts than last year as the company continued
to successfully implement key elements of its turnaround plan.

SMOKEY BONES  second  quarter  sales of $77.3  million were 31% above prior year
primarily  because  of  34  more  restaurants  in  operation,   including  seven
restaurants  that  were  opened  during  the  second  quarter,   and  despite  a
same-restaurant  sales  decline  of  8.5%.  Restaurant  level  operating  profit
increased 40% as a result of the increased  number of  restaurants  in operation
combined with lower food and beverage costs and restaurant expenses as a percent
of sales,  offset partially by increased  restaurant labor costs as a percent of
sales.

"We made  tremendous  operating and strategic  progress this quarter," said Drew
Madsen,  President and Chief Operating Officer of Darden. "Red Lobster and Olive
Garden both  delivered  strong  quarterly  same-restaurant  sales and  operating
profit  growth.  In  addition,  Red Lobster  continued to  strengthen  its guest
satisfaction  and  operating  margins - both of which are now at record levels -
while  Olive  Garden  continued  to  lay  the  foundation  for  accelerated  new
restaurant growth.  Bahama Breeze also made additional  progress on key elements
of its  turnaround  plan,  and its recent sales strength is evidence of that. At
Smokey  Bones there was greater  sales  weakness  than we had  anticipated  this
quarter. While it was a challenging  environment,  we also recognize that Smokey
Bones' brand positioning needs further refinement to broaden consumer appeal. As
we do that,  we have a good  foundation  to build  upon  because  Smokey  Bones'
current guests continue to rate their  experience very highly.  While we work to
broaden the appeal,  we will  moderate  the pace of new  restaurant  openings at
Smokey Bones' in fiscal 2007."

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Other Actions

Darden  continued the buyback of its common stock,  purchasing  over 1.7 million
shares in the second quarter. Since commencing its share repurchases in December
1995,  the Company has  repurchased  126.4 million  shares under  authorizations
totaling 137.4 million shares.


Fiscal November 2006 U.S. Same-Restaurant Sales Results

Darden  reported U.S.  same-restaurant  sales for the four-week  fiscal November
ended November 27, 2005.  This period is the last month of Darden's  fiscal 2006
second quarter.

Same-restaurant  sales at  Olive  Garden  were up  approximately  6% for  fiscal
November. The increase reflected a 3% to 4% increase in guest counts and a 2% to
3% increase in check  average.  The check  average  increase  was a result of an
approximate  2%  increase  in  pricing  and a 0% to 1%  increase  from  menu mix
changes.  Last year,  Olive  Garden had a 4% to 5% increase  in  same-restaurant
sales for fiscal November.

Same-restaurant  sales at Red  Lobster  increased  approximately  3% for  fiscal
November.  This  reflected an  approximate  1% increase in guest counts and a 2%
increase in check average due primarily to pricing.  Last year,  Red Lobster had
an approximate 2% increase in same-restaurant sales for fiscal November.


Fiscal 2006 Outlook

The Company revised upward its sales and earnings  guidance for fiscal 2006. The
Company now expects  diluted net earnings per share growth for fiscal 2006 to be
in  the  15%  to  20%  range  based  on  its   expectation   of  combined   U.S.
same-restaurant  sales growth of 4% to 5% for Red Lobster and Olive Garden,  and
new unit growth of approximately 4%.


Forward-looking  statements  in this news release 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 intense
competition,   changing   economic  or  business   conditions,   the  price  and
availability  of food,  ingredients  and utilities,  labor and insurance  costs,
increased advertising and marketing costs, higher-than-anticipated costs to open
or close  restaurants,  litigation,  unfavorable  publicity,  a lack of suitable
locations,  government  regulations,  a failure  to achieve  growth  objectives,
weather and other  factors  discussed  from time to time in reports filed by the
Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.






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                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                              NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS

        11/27/05                                                        11/28/04
        --------                                                        --------
             647               Red Lobster USA                              649
              31               Red Lobster Canada                            31
          ------               ------------------                        ------
             678               Total Red Lobster                            680

             562               Olive Garden USA                             541
               6               Olive Garden Canada                            6
          ------               -------------------                       ------
             568               Total Olive Garden                           547

              32               Bahama Breeze                                 32

             117               Smokey Bones                                  83

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

           1,398               Total Restaurants                          1,343






                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                   SECOND QUARTER FY 2006 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                      (In millions, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        13 Weeks Ended                 26 Weeks Ended
                                                        --------------                 --------------

                                                   11/27/2005     11/28/2004      11/27/2005     11/28/2004
                                                   ----------     ----------      ----------     ----------
<S>                                                <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
Sales                                              $ 1,325.1      $ 1,229.4       $  2,734.3     $  2,508.0

Net earnings                                       $    55.1      $    43.0       $    140.6     $    114.0

Net earnings per share:
  Basic                                            $    0.37      $    0.27       $     0.93     $     0.73
  Diluted                                          $    0.35      $    0.26       $     0.89     $     0.70

Average number of common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                                149.6          156.8            151.4          157.2
  Diluted                                              156.2          163.4            158.3          163.4

</TABLE>





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


                                                      13 Weeks Ended                 26 Weeks Ended
                                                      --------------                 --------------

                                                 11/27/2005     11/28/2004     11/27/2005     11/28/2004
                                                 ----------     ----------     ----------     ----------
<S>                                             <C>            <C>             <C>            <C>
Sales                                           $ 1,325,093    $ 1,229,373     $ 2,734,260    $ 2,508,017
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of sales:
     Food and beverage                              389,575        368,036         808,770        759,457
     Restaurant labor                               440,956        400,714         890,115        806,530
     Restaurant expenses                            215,081        202,287         429,775        397,304
       Total cost of sales (1)                  $ 1,045,612    $   971,037     $ 2,128,660    $ 1,963,291
  Selling, general and administrative               132,181        130,785         265,216        245,365
  Depreciation and amortization                      54,761         53,176         108,899        105,936
  Interest, net                                      11,670         11,007          22,618         21,971
       Total costs and expenses                 $ 1,244,224    $ 1,166,005     $ 2,525,393    $ 2,336,563
Earnings before income taxes                         80,869         63,368         208,867        171,454
Income taxes                                        (25,812)       (20,393)        (68,296)       (57,467)
Net earnings                                    $    55,057    $    42,975     $   140,571    $   113,987

Net earnings per share:
  Basic                                         $      0.37    $      0.27     $      0.93    $      0.73
  Diluted                                       $      0.35    $      0.26     $      0.89    $      0.70


Average number of common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                             149,600        156,800         151,400        157,200
  Diluted                                           156,200        163,400         158,300        163,400

(1) Excludes restaurant depreciation and
    amortization as follows:                    $    50,600    $    49,486     $   101,020    $    98,705

</TABLE>

















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

                                                   11/27/2005          5/29/2005
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                       $    72,536      $    42,801
   Short-term investments                               10,000               --
   Receivables                                          38,066           36,510
   Inventories                                         247,353          235,444
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets            31,723           28,927
   Deferred income taxes                                63,613           63,584
       Total current assets                        $   463,291      $   407,266
Land, buildings and equipment                        2,404,948        2,351,454
Other assets                                           187,270          179,051
       Total assets                                $ 3,055,509      $ 2,937,771

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                $   209,767      $   191,197
   Accrued payroll                                     102,637          114,602
   Accrued income taxes                                 43,993           52,404
   Other accrued taxes                                  41,558           43,825
   Unearned revenues                                    81,086           88,472
   Current portion of long-term debt                   149,988          299,929
   Other current liabilities                           259,522          254,178
       Total current liabilities                   $   888,551      $ 1,044,607
Long-term debt, less current portion                   645,830          350,318
Deferred income taxes                                  103,821          114,846
Deferred rent                                          134,841          130,872
Other liabilities                                       27,676           24,109
       Total liabilities                           $ 1,800,719      $ 1,664,752

Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock and surplus                        $ 1,758,851      $ 1,703,336
   Retained earnings                                 1,516,471        1,405,754
   Treasury stock                                   (1,968,849)      (1,784,835)
   Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)        (1,911)          (8,876)
   Unearned compensation                               (49,283)         (41,685)
   Officer notes receivable                               (489)            (675)
       Total stockholders' equity                  $ 1,254,790      $ 1,273,019
       Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 3,055,509      $ 2,937,771



                                      -END-



