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: May 16, 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 7.01 | Regulation FD Disclosure. |
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a news release dated May 16, 2011, entitled “Darden Announces Leadership Changes at Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Other Key Roles, Draws on Deep Bench Strength to Bring Fresh Perspectives to Iconic Brands with New Energy,” a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
The information in this Item 7.01 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 7.01 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 |
Description | |
| 99 | News release dated May 16, 2011, entitled “Darden Announces Leadership Changes at Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Other Key Roles, Draws on Deep Bench Strength to Bring Fresh Perspectives to Iconic Brands with New Energy.” | |
2
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/ Teresa M. Sebastian | |||||
| Teresa M. Sebastian Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | ||||||
| Date: May 16, 2011 | ||||||
3
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit |
Description of Exhibit | |
| 99 | News release dated May 16, 2011, entitled “Darden Announces Leadership Changes at Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Other Key Roles, Draws on Deep Bench Strength to Bring Fresh Perspectives to Iconic Brands with New Energy.” | |
4