Exhibit 99.1

JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k)(1)(iii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the persons named below agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D (including additional amendments thereto) with respect to the shares of Common Stock, no par value, of Darden Restaurants, Inc. This Joint Filing Agreement shall be filed as an Exhibit to such Statement.

Dated:  December 23, 2013

STARBOARD VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND LTD By: Starboard Value LP,        its investment manager   STARBOARD VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY S LLC By: Starboard Value LP,        its manager   STARBOARD VALUE AND OPPORTUNITY C LP By: Starboard Value R LP        its general partner   STARBOARD VALUE R LP By: Starboard Value R GP LLC,        its general partner   STARBOARD LEADERS DELTA LLC By: Starboard Value A LP,       its managing member   STARBOARD LEADERS FUND LP By: Starboard Value A LP        its general partner       STARBOARD VALUE A LP By: Starboard Value A GP LLC,       its general partner   STARBOARD VALUE LP By: Starboard Value GP LLC,        its general partner   STARBOARD VALUE GP LLC By: Starboard Principal Co LP,        its member   STARBOARD PRINCIPAL CO LP By: Starboard Principal Co GP LLC,        its general partner   STARBOARD PRINCIPAL CO GP LLC   STARBOARD VALUE A GP LLC   STARBOARD VALUE R GP LLC

By:	/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith
	Name:	Jeffrey C. Smith
	Title:	Authorized Signatory

/s/ Jeffrey C. Smith

JEFFREY C. SMITH

Individually and as attorney-in-fact for Mark R. Mitchell and Peter A. Feld