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 (Date of earliest event reported):
June 20, 1997
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida 1-13666 59-3305930
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS employer
of incorporation) file number) identification No.)
5900 Lake Ellenor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32809
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(407) 245-4000
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Item 5. Other Events.
On June 20, 1997, the Registrant issued a news release entitled
"Darden Restaurants Announces Streamlined Management Structure,"
including the announcement of the elimination of the Chief Operating
Officer's position and the resignation of Jeffrey J. O'Hara,
formerly President and Chief Operating Officer.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
99 Press release dated June 20, 1997,
entitled "Darden Restaurants Announces
Streamlined Management Structure."
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.
Dated: June 23, 1997 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
By /s/ C.L. Whitehill
C.L. Whitehill
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Page
99 Press release dated June 20, 1997, 4
entitled "Darden Restaurants Announces
Streamlined Management Structure."
EXHIBIT 99
Press Release dated June 20, 1997 of Darden Restaurants, Inc.
DARDEN RESTAURANTS ANNOUNCES
STREAMLINED MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE
ORLANDO, FL - Darden Restaurants, Inc., Orlando-based casual dining restaurant
company, will establish a streamlined management structure to improve internal
communications and better position the company for future growth, it was
announced by Joe R. Lee, Darden Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
"Effective today," Lee said, "we will eliminate the role of Chief Operating
Officer of Darden Restaurants. This will streamline internal communications
and strengthen our customer focus."
Jeffrey O'Hara, who has held the position of Corporate President and Chief
Operating Officer for the past year, submitted his resignation. O'Hara will
continue to serve as a senior consultant and resource to the Chief Executive
Officer for an interim period.
"Jeff has had a distinguished career at Darden," Lee said. "His contributions
to our company have been significant."
"There is a national search to bring in a new Red Lobster President from outside
the company who can bring a fresh perspective to this business," Lee said. "We
will be looking for a senior executive with a proven track record who has the
leadership skills to assist us in achieving our growth and performance
objectives."
Brad Blum, President of The Olive Garden, and during the interim, the Red
Lobster executive team will now report directly to Lee. This management
structure will allow the leadership of the company to be more closely involved
with the restaurants and to more quickly respond to industry trends and changing
customer demands.
