Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") issued a news release dated January 21, 2009, entitled "Darden Restaurants To Hold Analyst And Investor Meeting, Will Reaffirm Fiscal Year 2009 Sales And Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance", 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.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number    Description
99        Press Release dated January 21, 2009, entitled "Darden Restaurants To Hold
          Analyst And Investor Meeting, Will Reaffirm Fiscal Year 2009 Sales And
          Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance."