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):
May 4, 1999
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Florida 1-13666 59-3305930
(State or other juris- (Commission file number) (IRS employer
diction of incorporation) 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 May 4, 1999, the Registrant issued a news release
announcing the appointment of Gary Heckel to Senior Vice
President of Darden Restaurants.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit Number Description
99 Press Release dated May 4, 1999,
entitled "Darden Restaurants Appoints
Gary Heckel Senior Vice-President of
Darden Restaurants"
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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: May 4, 1999 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
By: /s/ C.L. Whitehill
-------------------------------------
C.L. Whitehill
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number Page
99 Press Release dated May 4, 1999, entitled
"Darden Restaurants Appoints Gary Heckel
Senior Vice-President of Darden Restaurants" 5
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EXHIBIT 99
DARDEN RESTAURANTS APPOINTS GARY HECKEL
SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF DARDEN RESTAURANTS
ORLANDO, FL - A 25-year industry veteran who began his career as a grill cook is
now Darden Restaurants' new Corporate Officer. Gary Heckel, President of Bahama
Breeze Restaurants added Senior Vice-President Darden Restaurants to his
responsibilities. He becomes a member of the Darden Executive Management team as
a Corporate Officer.
"Gary's contributions to Bahama Breeze operations has made it one of our
industry's hottest concepts," said Joe R. Lee, CEO of Darden Restaurants. "He
has made significant contributions to the development of the business and is
busy overseeing its expansion. This promotion recognizes his outstanding
leadership."
Heckel joined Darden in 1995 as Vice-President Operations for New Business
Development. He was promoted to Senior Vice-President Operations for Bahama
Breeze in 1997, and assumed responsibilities as President in 1998. He has been
responsible for day-to-day operations and has been instrumental in developing
the principles, values and extraordinary food and service culture unique to
Bahama Breeze.
Darden Restaurants, with headquarters in Orlando, Florida, is the world's
largest casual dining company, with 1,151 restaurants operating under the Red
Lobster, The Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze brands, over 115,000 employees and
annual sales of over $3.3 billion.
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