DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
10-Q, 2000-10-10
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


(MarkOne)

[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 For the quarterly period ended August 27, 2000

[ ] TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO SECTION  13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

           For the transition period from ............ to ............


                                     1-13666
                             Commission File Number


                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Florida                               59-3305930
     (State or other jurisdiction of       (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      incorporation or organization)

        5900 Lake Ellenor Drive,
           Orlando, Florida                               32809
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

                                  407-245-4000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


     Indicate  by check mark  whether the  registrant  (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. [X] Yes   [ ]No


                      APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

     Number of shares of common  stock  outstanding  as of  September  28, 2000:
119,436,424 (excluding 47,337,329 shares held in treasury).



<PAGE>

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

Part I - Financial Information

         Item 1.  Financial Statements

                  Consolidated Statements of Earnings                         3

                  Consolidated Balance Sheets                                 4

                  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders'
                    Equity                                                    5

                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                       6

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                  7

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                    Condition and Results of Operations                       8

         Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
                    Market Risk                                               11

Part II - Other Information

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            12

Signatures                                                                    13

Index to Exhibits                                                             14



                                       2


<PAGE>

                                     PART I
                              FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements
                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                      (In Thousands, Except per Share Data)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Thirteen Weeks Ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   August 27, 2000           August 29, 1999
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                       <C>

Sales........................................................        $ 1,018,205                $  929,391
Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of sales:
    Food and beverage........................................            331,037                   298,828
    Restaurant labor.........................................            318,355                   295,119
    Restaurant expenses......................................            139,778                   132,121
                                                                     -----------                ----------
      Total Cost of Sales....................................        $   789,170                $  726,068
  Selling, general and administrative........................             99,287                    94,150
  Depreciation and amortization..............................             35,636                    31,370
  Interest, net..............................................              6,274                     4,576
                                                                     -----------                ----------
        Total Costs and Expenses.............................        $   930,367                $  856,164
                                                                     -----------                ----------
Earnings before Income Taxes.................................             87,838                    73,227
Income Taxes.................................................            (30,917)                  (25,914)
                                                                     -----------                ----------

Net Earnings.................................................        $    56,921                $   47,313
                                                                     ===========                ==========

Net Earnings per Share:
  Basic......................................................        $      0.47                $     0.36
                                                                     ===========                ==========
  Diluted....................................................        $      0.46                $     0.35
                                                                     ===========                ==========

Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding:
  Basic......................................................            121,600                   132,200
                                                                     ===========                ==========
  Diluted....................................................            124,400                   136,400
                                                                     ===========                ==========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       3


<PAGE>

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      (Unaudited)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    August 27, 2000             May 28, 2000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                 <C>                         <C>
                            ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents..................................         $    32,381               $    26,102
  Receivables................................................              27,409                    27,962
  Inventories................................................             176,066                   142,187
  Net assets held for disposal...............................              13,662                    19,614
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................              18,120                    26,525
  Deferred income taxes......................................              49,096                    48,070
                                                                      -----------               -----------
    Total Current Assets.....................................         $   316,734               $   290,460
Land, Buildings and Equipment................................           1,625,616                 1,578,541
Other Assets.................................................             103,980                   102,422
                                                                      -----------               -----------

      Total Assets...........................................         $ 2,046,330               $ 1,971,423
                                                                      ===========               ===========

             LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable...........................................         $   164,901               $   140,487
  Short-term debt............................................             152,300                   115,000
  Current portion of long-term debt..........................               2,514                     2,513
  Accrued payroll............................................              65,407                    77,805
  Accrued income taxes.......................................              63,182                    33,256
  Other accrued taxes........................................              28,279                    25,524
  Other current liabilities..................................             196,712                   212,302
                                                                      -----------               -----------
    Total Current Liabilities................................         $   673,295               $   606,887
Long-term Debt...............................................             301,146                   304,073
Deferred Income Taxes........................................              78,871                    79,102
Other Liabilities............................................              20,810                    20,891
                                                                      -----------               -----------
      Total Liabilities......................................         $ 1,074,122               $ 1,010,953
                                                                      -----------               -----------

Stockholders' Equity:
  Common stock and surplus...................................         $ 1,362,694               $ 1,351,707
  Retained earnings..........................................             401,500                   344,579
  Treasury stock.............................................            (722,708)                 (666,837)
  Accumulated other comprehensive income.....................             (12,219)                  (12,457)
  Unearned compensation......................................             (57,059)                  (56,522)
                                                                      -----------               -----------
      Total Stockholders' Equity.............................         $   972,208               $   960,470
                                                                      -----------               -----------

        Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity...........         $ 2,046,330               $ 1,971,423
                                                                      ===========               ===========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      4


<PAGE>

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
        For the Thirteen Weeks Ended August 27, 2000 and August 29, 1999
                                 (In Thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Common                              Accumulated
                                               Stock                                 Other                         Total
                                                and       Retained    Treasury    Comprehensive    Unearned     Stockholders'
                                              Surplus     Earnings      Stock        Income      Compensation      Equity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>

Balance at May 28, 2000.................... $1,351,707    $344,579   $(666,837)     $(12,457)     $(56,522)      $ 960,470
Comprehensive income:
  Net earnings.............................                 56,921                                                  56,921
  Other comprehensive income, foreign
    currency adjustment....................                                              238                           238
                                                                                                                 ---------
      Total comprehensive income...........                                                                         57,159
Stock option exercises (495 shares)........      5,143                                                               5,143
Issuance of restricted stock (330 shares),
  net of forfeiture adjustments............      3,430                   1,027                      (4,493)            (36)

Earned compensation........................                                                          1,006           1,006
ESOP note receivable repayments............                                                          2,950           2,950
Income tax benefit credited to equity......      2,116                                                               2,116
Purchases of common stock for treasury
  (3,355 shares)...........................                            (57,422)                                    (57,422)
Issuance of treasury stock under Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (60 shares) ...........        298                     524                                         822
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at August 27, 2000................. $1,362,694    $401,500   $(722,708)     $(12,219)     $(57,059)      $ 972,208
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<CAPTION>
                                               Common                              Accumulated
                                               Stock                                 Other                         Total
                                                and       Retained    Treasury    Comprehensive    Unearned     Stockholders'
                                              Surplus     Earnings      Stock        Income      Compensation      Equity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>

Balance at May 30, 1999.................... $1,328,796    $178,008   $(466,902)     $(12,115)     $(63,751)      $ 964,036
Comprehensive income:
  Net earnings.............................                 47,313                                                  47,313
  Other comprehensive income, foreign
    currency adjustment....................                                             (343)                         (343)
                                                                                                                 ---------
      Total comprehensive income...........                                                                         46,970
Stock option exercises (602 shares)........      5,314                                                               5,314
Issuance of restricted stock (158 shares),
  net of forfeiture adjustments............      2,181                                              (2,153)             28
Earned compensation........................                                                            739             739
ESOP note receivable repayments............                                                            600             600
Income tax benefit credited to equity......      3,361                                                               3,361
Proceeds from issuance of equity put
  options..................................      1,139                                                               1,139
Purchases of common stock for treasury
  (1,367 shares)...........................                            (27,425)                                    (27,425)
Issuance of treasury stock under Employee
  Stock Purchase Plan (52 shares) .........        483                     458                                         941
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at August 29, 1999................. $1,341,274    $225,321   $(493,869)     $(12,458)     $(64,565)      $ 995,703
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       5


<PAGE>

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In Thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Thirteen Weeks Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          August 27, 2000        August 29, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                       <C>                    <C>

Cash Flows--Operating Activities
  Net earnings.....................................................          $   56,921             $   47,313
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flow:
    Depreciation and amortization..................................              35,636                 31,370
    Amortization of unearned compensation and loan costs...........               1,631                  1,406
    Change in current assets and liabilities.......................               5,249                (50,484)
    Change in other liabilities ...................................                 (81)                    76
    Loss on disposal of land, buildings and equipment..............                 539                    214
    Deferred income taxes..........................................              (1,257)                 5,075
    Income tax benefit credited to equity..........................               2,116                  3,361
    Other, net.....................................................                 (87)                   381
                                                                             ----------             ----------
      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities....................          $  100,667             $   38,712
                                                                             ----------             ----------

Cash Flows--Investing Activities
  Purchases of land, buildings and equipment.......................             (82,221)               (40,602)
  Purchases of intangibles.........................................                (917)                  (583)
  (Increase) decrease in other assets..............................              (1,515)                 1,271
  Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment
    (including net assets held for disposal).......................               4,575                  7,073
                                                                             ----------             ----------
      Net Cash Used by Investing Activities........................          $  (80,078)            $  (32,841)
                                                                             ----------             ----------

Cash Flows--Financing Activities
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock...........................               5,965                  6,246
  Purchases of treasury stock......................................             (57,422)               (27,425)
  ESOP note receivable repayment...................................               2,950                    600
  Increase in short-term debt......................................              37,300                  3,500
  Repayment of long-term debt......................................              (2,956)                  (606)
  Payment of loan costs............................................                (147)
  Proceeds from issuance of equity put options.....................                                      1,139
                                                                             ----------             ----------
      Net Cash Used by Financing Activities........................          $  (14,310)            $  (16,546)
                                                                             ----------             ----------

Increase (decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents...................               6,279                (10,675)
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period....................              26,102                 40,960
                                                                             ----------             ----------

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period..........................          $   32,381             $   30,285
                                                                             ==========             ==========

Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities
  Receivables......................................................                 554                 (2,270)
  Inventories......................................................             (33,879)               (48,377)
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets........................                 182                 (2,210)
  Accounts payable.................................................              24,414                 11,477
  Accrued payroll..................................................             (12,398)               (10,319)
  Accrued income taxes.............................................              29,926                  2,379
  Other accrued taxes..............................................               2,755                    608
  Other current liabilities........................................              (6,305)                (1,772)
                                                                             ----------             ----------
    Change in Current Assets and Liabilities.......................          $    5,249             $  (50,484)
                                                                             ==========             ==========

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                       6


<PAGE>

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
              (Dollar Amounts in Thousands, Except per Share Data)

Note 1.  Background

         These  consolidated   financial   statements  do  not  include  certain
information and footnotes required by generally accepted  accounting  principles
for complete financial  statements.  However, in the opinion of management,  all
adjustments  considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and
are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the thirteen weeks ended
August  27,  2000 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the  results  that may be
expected for the fiscal year ending May 27, 2001.

         These  statements  should be read in conjunction  with the consolidated
financial  statements  and footnotes  included in our annual report on Form 10-K
for the year ended May 28, 2000. The accounting policies used in preparing these
consolidated  financial statements are the same as those described in our annual
report on Form 10-K.

Note 2.  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

         During the thirteen weeks ended August 27, 2000, Darden paid $9,657 for
interest  (net of amount  capitalized)  and $851 for  income  taxes.  During the
thirteen  weeks ended August 29, 1999,  Darden paid $7,902 for interest  (net of
amount capitalized) and $16,274 for income taxes.

Note 3.  Net Earnings Per Share

         Outstanding  stock  options  issued by the Company  represent  the only
dilutive  effect  reflected  in diluted  weighted  average  shares  outstanding.
Options to purchase 3,858,748 and 2,621,129 shares of common stock were excluded
from the calculation of diluted  earnings per share for the thirteen weeks ended
August 27, 2000 and August 29, 1999, respectively, because their exercise prices
exceeded the average market price of common shares for the period.

Note 4.  Restructuring Liability

         In 1997,  the  Company  recorded  restructuring  charges  of $70,900 in
connection  with the  closing  of certain  restaurant  properties.  The  related
liabilities  are  included  in other  current  liabilities  in the  accompanying
consolidated  balance  sheets  and were  established  to  accrue  for  estimated
carrying costs of buildings and equipment prior to disposal,  employee severance
costs,   lease  buy-out   provisions  and  other  costs   associated   with  the
restructuring  action. All restaurant  closings under this restructuring  action
have been completed. The remaining restructuring actions,  including disposal of
the closed owned  properties and the lease buy-outs related to the closed leased
properties, are expected to be substantially completed during 2001.

A summary of restructuring  liability activity for the three months ended August
27, 2000 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                      <C>

         Balance at May 28, 2000................................................         $  8,564
         Cash Payments:
           Carrying costs and employee severance payments.......................             (540)
           Lease payments including lease buy-outs..............................             (492)
                                                                                         --------
         Balance at August 27, 2000.............................................         $  7,532
                                                                                         ========
</TABLE>

Note 5.  Subsequent Event

         On July 13, 2000, the Company filed a  registration  statement with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  The purpose of the filing was to register
$500,000  of debt  securities  using a shelf  registration  process.  Under this
process,  the  Company  may offer,  from time to time,  up to  $500,000  of debt
securities.  On  September  5, 2000,  the Company  issued  $150,000 of unsecured
8.375% senior notes due in September 2005.  Proceeds from the issuance were used
to repay short-term debt.


                                       7

<PAGE>


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
        of Operations

         The following table sets forth selected restaurant  operating data as a
percentage of sales for the periods  indicated.  All information is derived from
the consolidated  statements of earnings for the thirteen weeks ended August 27,
2000 and August 29, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              Thirteen Weeks Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   August 27, 2000            August 29, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                        <C>

Sales........................................................           100.0%                     100.0%
Costs and Expenses:
  Cost of sales:
    Food and beverage........................................            32.5                       32.1
    Restaurant labor.........................................            31.3                       31.8
    Restaurant expenses......................................            13.7                       14.2
                                                                       ------                     ------
      Total Cost of Sales....................................            77.5%                      78.1%
  Selling, general and administrative........................             9.8                       10.1
  Depreciation and amortization..............................             3.5                        3.4
  Interest, net..............................................             0.6                        0.5
                                                                       ------                     ------
        Total Costs and Expenses.............................            91.4%                      92.1%
                                                                       ------                     ------

Earnings before Income Taxes.................................             8.6                        7.9
Income Taxes.................................................            (3.0)                      (2.8)
                                                                       ------                     ------

Net Earnings.................................................             5.6%                       5.1%
                                                                       ======                     ======

</TABLE>


Results of Operations

         For the fiscal 2001 first quarter ended August 27, 2000, earnings after
tax were $56.9 million or 46 cents per diluted share, compared to earnings after
tax of $47.3  million or 35 cents per diluted share in the first quarter of last
year.  The increase in first  quarter  earnings was  primarily  attributable  to
strong  same-restaurant  sales at both Red  Lobster and Olive  Garden.  Sales of
$1.02  billion for the first  quarter  were 9.6%  higher than last year's  first
quarter.

         Food and  beverage  costs for the first  quarter  were  32.5% of sales,
compared to 32.1% of sales last year  primarily  attributable  to higher product
costs.  Restaurant  labor  costs  decreased  to 31.3% of sales  compared to last
year's 31.8% of sales primarily due to efficiencies  resulting from higher sales
volumes.  Restaurant expenses decreased to 13.7% of sales compared to 14.2% last
year  primarily  due to the  fixed  component  of these  expenses  which are not
impacted by higher sales volumes. The decrease in first quarter selling, general
and  administrative  expenses  to 9.8% of sales  compared to 10.1% of sales last
year was primarily  attributable  reduced marketing  expenses as a percentage of
sales.  Depreciation  and  amortization  as a percentage of sales increased from
3.4% to 3.5%  primarily  as a result of new  restaurant  and  remodel  activity,
partially  offset by the  favorable  impact of higher  sales  volumes.  Interest
expense  increased  to 0.6% of sales  compared  to 0.5%  last year due to higher
levels of  short-term  debt  during the first  quarter of fiscal 2001 to finance
land, buildings and equipment and share repurchase spending.

         The  effective  tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2001 was 35.2%
compared to 35.4% in last year's first  quarter.  The decrease in the  effective
tax rate resulted  primarily from  increases in annual  expected tax credits and
deductions that were not available last year.

Division Results

         Red Lobster  sales of $556.8  million were 6.6% above last year's first
quarter.  Same-restaurant  sales  in the  United  States  were up  6.2%  for the
quarter,  marking the  eleventh  consecutive  quarter of  same-restaurant  sales
increases. First quarter operating profit improved over the prior year primarily
as a result of the increased  sales and lower  restaurant  labor and  restaurant
expenses as a percentage of sales.

         Olive Garden continued its positive  momentum in the first quarter with
a 10.1% increase in sales to $436.1 million. Same-restaurant sales in the United
States increased 8.7%,  representing the  twenty-fourth  consecutive


                                       8


<PAGE>

quarter of  same-restaurant  sales increases.  First quarter  operating  profits
improved  significantly over the prior year primarily due to increased sales and
lower labor,  restaurant and selling,  general and administrative  expenses as a
percentage of sales.

         Bahama Breeze continues to produce strong sales at each of its fourteen
restaurants.  Seven additional restaurants are currently under construction, all
of which have expected fiscal 2001 opening dates.

         Restaurant  sales at Smokey Bones BBQ,  Darden's  latest test  concept,
continue to exceed  management's  initial  expectations.  Two  restaurants  were
operating in Orlando,  FL, as of August 27, 2000. A third  restaurant  opened in
Columbus,  OH, in September 2000 and another is currently under  construction in
upstate New York.

         The table below  details the number of  restaurants  open at the end of
the first  quarter of fiscal 2001,  compared  with the number open at the end of
May 2000 and the end of last fiscal year's first quarter.


                              NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         August 27, 2000             May 28, 2000             August 29, 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                         <C>                      <C>

Red Lobster - USA..................              621                       622                       617
Red Lobster - Canada...............               32                        32                        34
                                              ------                    ------                    ------
     Total.........................              653                       654                       651

Olive Garden - USA.................              464                       464                       459
Olive Garden - Canada..............                5                         5                         5
                                              ------                    ------                    ------
     Total.........................              469                       469                       464

Bahama Breeze......................               14                        14                         6

Smokey Bones BBQ...................                2                         2                         0
                                              ------                    ------                    ------

     Total.........................            1,138                     1,139                     1,121
                                              ======                    ======                    ======

</TABLE>


Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

         Inventories  totaled  $176.1  million  as of August 27,  2000,  up from
$142.2 million at May 28, 2000. The increase  results from typical first quarter
increases in seafood  inventory levels due to availability.  Accounts payable of
$164.9  million at August 27,  2000,  increased  from $140.5  million at May 28,
2000, principally as a result of the increased level of inventories.

         Accrued  income  taxes  payable of $63.2  million  at August 27,  2000,
increased from $33.3 million at May 28, 2000,  principally  due to the timing of
income tax payments.

         Short-term  debt totaled  $152.3 million as of August 27, 2000, up from
$115.0 million at May 28, 2000. The increase  resulted  primarily from continued
share repurchase  activity as well as increased spending on land,  buildings and
equipment.

         Capital expenditures were $82.2 million for the first quarter of fiscal
2001  compared to $40.6  million in last year's  first  quarter.  The  increased
expenditures resulted primarily from new restaurant growth as well as remodeling
activity.  The Company  purchased  treasury  stock totaling $57.4 million in the
first  quarter of fiscal  2001  compared to $27.4  million in last year's  first
quarter.

         On  September 5, 2000,  subsequent  to the end of the fiscal 2001 first
quarter,  the Company issued $150 million of unsecured debt.  Proceeds from this
issuance were used to repay short-term debt.


                                       9


<PAGE>

Forward-Looking Statements

         Certain  information  included in this report and other materials filed
or to be  filed  by the  Company  with the  Commission  (as well as  information
included  in oral  statements  or written  statements  made or to be made by the
Company) may contain statements that are  forward-looking  within the meaning of
Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This forward-looking information is
based on assumptions  concerning  important risks and  uncertainties  that could
significantly affect anticipated results in the future and,  accordingly,  could
cause the actual  results to  materially  differ  from  those  expressed  in the
forward-looking  statements.  These risks and uncertainties include competition,
economic and market conditions,  changes in food and other costs,  importance of
locations,  effects  of  government  regulations  and the  Company's  ability to
achieve its growth objectives,  each of which is more specifically  discussed in
Exhibit 99 filed with the  Company's  annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended May 28, 2000, and incorporated into this report.


                                       10


<PAGE>


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

           There have been no material  changes in the  information  provided in
our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2000.


                                       11



<PAGE>


                                     PART II
                                OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)      Exhibits.

                  Exhibit 12        Computation of Ratio of Consolidated
                                    Earnings to Fixed Charges

                  Exhibit 27        Financial Data Schedule

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K.

                  (i) On June 26, 2000,  the Company  filed a current  report on
                      Form 8-K announcing  annual and fourth  quarter  financial
                      results for fiscal 2000.


                                       12


<PAGE>


                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                    DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.


Dated:   October 9, 2000                       By: /s/ Paula J. Shives
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Paula J. Shives
                                                   Senior Vice President,
                                                   General Counsel and Secretary



Dated:   October 9, 2000                       By: /s/ Clarence Otis, Jr.
                                                   -----------------------------
                                                   Clarence Otis, Jr.
                                                   Senior Vice President,
                                                   Chief Financial Officer
                                                   (Principal financial officer)


                                       13


<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number            Exhibit Title                                            Page


   12             Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings
                    to Fixed Charges                                        15

   27             Financial Data Schedule                                   16




                                       14



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