<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225208-21-010883.txt : 20210727
<SEC-HEADER>0001225208-21-010883.hdr.sgml : 20210727
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20210727173456
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225208-21-010883
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20210725
FILED AS OF DATE:		20210727
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20210727

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			King Sarah H.
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001700587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13666
		FILM NUMBER:		211118992

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32837

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000940944
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-EATING PLACES [5812]
		IRS NUMBER:				593305930
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			FL
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0530

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32837
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4072454000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
		CITY:			ORLANDO
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			32837

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	GENERAL MILLS RESTAURANTS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19950313
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
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<SEQUENCE>1
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    <periodOfReport>2021-07-25</periodOfReport>

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        <issuerName>DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DRI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerCik>0001700587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>King Sarah H.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ORLANDO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>32837</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>SVP, Chief People Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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                    <value>563.0000</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Son</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
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    <derivativeTable>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F5"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-07-25</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
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                <value>2021-07-25</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2021-07-25</value>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
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            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Restricted Stock Units (FY18)</value>
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                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
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                    <value>D</value>
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                <footnoteId id="F7"/>
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                <value>2021-07-26</value>
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                    <value>Common Stock</value>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Performance restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these securities, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of such securities for purposes of Section 16 orfor any other purpose.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Includes 79 additional shares delivered as dividend equivalents upon settlement pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement. Fractional shares are settled in cash pursuant to the terms of the award agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">This grant vests in two equal installments beginning on July 25, 2021.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Includes 146 additional shares delivered as dividend equivalents upon settlement pursuant to the terms of the applicable award agreement. Fractional shares are settled in cash pursuant to the terms of the award agreement.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">This grant vested in two equal installments beginning on July 26, 2020.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jessica P. Lange, Attorney-in-fact for King, Sarah H.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2021-07-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
