8-K

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: November 14, 2016

(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:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On November 14, 2016, the Board of Directors of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the number of directors of the Company from seven to eight, and elected Nana Mensah to serve as a director, effective November 14, 2016, as further described in the press release dated November 14, 2016, entitled “Darden Restaurants, Inc. Announces New Board Member,” a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The Board appointed Mr. Mensah to serve on the Compensation Committee of the Board.

The Board determined that, in its judgment, Mr. Mensah each satisfies the requirements for “independence” set forth in the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and the applicable rules of the New York Stock Exchange. There were no arrangements or understandings pursuant to which Mr. Mensah was elected nor any relationships or related transactions between Mr. Mensah and the Company of the type required to be disclosed under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules. As a non-employee director, Mr. Mensah will receive the compensation under the Company's Director Compensation Program described under the heading “Current Director Compensation Program” on pages 21-22 of the Company's Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on August 15, 2016, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. The annual cash retainer and annual equity grant for Mr. Mensah will be prorated based on his part-year service.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)    Exhibits.

Exhibit Number	Description
99.1	News release dated November 14, 2016, entitled “Darden Restaurants, Inc. Announces New Board Member.”

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/ Matthew R. Broad
		Matthew R. Broad
Date: November 14, 2016		Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description of Exhibit
99.1	News release dated November 14, 2016, entitled “Darden Restaurants, Inc. Announces New Board Member.”

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR RELEASE	Contact:
	Kevin Kalicak 407-245-5870 (Analysts)
	Rich Jeffers 407-245-4189 (Media)

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD MEMBER

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 14, 2016) - Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Nana Mensah to the company’s Board, effective immediately. As a result of this action, the Board also voted to expand the number of seats on the Board to eight.

Speaking on behalf of the Board, Chuck Sonsteby, Chairman of Darden’s Board, commented, “My fellow Board members and I are delighted to welcome Nana to the Board. His extensive restaurant operations background, both domestically and internationally, coupled with his experience as a public company director brings additional expertise and perspective to the Board room.”

Commenting on the appointment, Mensah said, “I’m impressed with how well the Darden Board of Directors and the Company’s leadership team have worked together to build strong momentum across the business. I’m excited to be a part of this Board as we work to ensure Darden remains the industry leader and continues delivering value to shareholders.”

Mensah, 64, serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 'XPORTS, Inc., a privately held company that exports food packaging and food processing equipment to distributors and wholesalers outside of the United States. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer of Church's Chicken, a division of AFC Enterprises, Inc., and as President and Chief Operating Officer of Long John Silver's Restaurants, Inc. Prior to that, Mensah served as Senior Vice President, Operations and Concept Development, for PepsiCo Restaurants International, overseeing the KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell brands internationally and as a regional Vice President and General Manager for the KFC brand for PepsiCo.  Additionally, Mensah serves on the Board of Directors of Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI) and the Board of Trustees of the Children's Miracle Network.

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI), owns and operates more than 1,500 restaurants that generate $7.0 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., and employing 150,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Our restaurant brands - Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V’s and Yard House - reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

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