Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") issued a news release dated September 29, 2009, entitled "Darden Restaurants Reports 16% Increase In First Quarter Diluted Net Earnings Per Share; Announces Quarterly Dividend Of 25 Cents Per Share," a copy of which is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The information in this Item 2.02 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 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.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number                                     Description

99            Darden Restaurants Reports 16% Increase In First Quarter Diluted Net
              Earnings Per Share; Announces Quarterly Dividend Of 25 Cents Per
              Share.