=== SEC Form 4 — Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership ===
Document Type: 4
Period of Report: 2026-07-28
10b5-1 Pre-arranged Plan: No
--- Issuer ---
Name: DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC (DRI)
CIK: 0000940944
--- Reporting Owner ---
Name: Cardenas Ricardo
CIK: 0001653795
Role: Director, Officer (President and CEO)
--- Non-Derivative Transactions ---
[Transaction #1]
Security: Common Stock
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: M (Exercise of derivative)
Shares: +19,091 | Price: $124.24
Total Value: $2,371,865.84
Shares Owned After: 125,279.988 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F1] Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
[Transaction #2]
Security: Common Stock
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: S (Open market sale)
Shares: -3,801 | Price: $209.58
Total Value: $796,596.10
Shares Owned After: 121,478.988 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F2] This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.42 to $209.92. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
[F1] Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
[Transaction #3]
Security: Common Stock
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: S (Open market sale)
Shares: -7,241 | Price: $209.41
Total Value: $1,516,326.95
Shares Owned After: 114,237.988 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F3] This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.24 to $209.9. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
[F1] Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
[Transaction #4]
Security: Common Stock
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: S (Open market sale)
Shares: -12,802 | Price: $208.79
Total Value: $2,672,993.59
Shares Owned After: 101,435.988 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F4] This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.23 to $209.225. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
[F1] Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
[Transaction #5]
Security: Common Stock
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: S (Open market sale)
Shares: -15,290 | Price: $209.00
Total Value: $3,195,587.06
Shares Owned After: 86,145.988 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F5] This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.42 to $209.415. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
[F1] Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
--- Derivative Transactions ---
[Transaction #1]
Security: Stock Option (Right to Buy)
Date: 2026-07-28 | Code: M (Exercise of derivative)
Shares: -19,091 | Price: $0.00
Exercisable: N/A | Expires: 2029-07-24
Shares Owned After: 0 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F6] This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.
[Transaction #2]
Security: Restricted Stock Units (FY27 Annual Grant)
Date: 2026-07-29 | Code: A (Grant or award)
Shares: +12,792 | Price: $0.00
Exercisable: N/A | Expires: 2029-07-29
Shares Owned After: 12,792 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F7] Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
[Transaction #3]
Security: Stock Option (Right to Buy)
Date: 2026-07-29 | Code: A (Grant or award)
Shares: +37,735 | Price: $0.00
Exercisable: N/A | Expires: 2036-07-29
Shares Owned After: 37,735 | Ownership: D (Direct)
Footnotes:
[F8] This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2029.
--- Footnotes (Complete Index) ---
F1: Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
F2: This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.42 to $209.92. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
F3: This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.24 to $209.9. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
F4: This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.23 to $209.225. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
F5: This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.42 to $209.415. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
F6: This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.
F7: Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
F8: This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2029.
--- Signature ---
/s/ A. Noni Holmes-Kidd, Attorney-in-fact for Cardenas, Ricardo (2026-07-30)
