FORM 4
[ ] Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).         
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
                                                                                  
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Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
                      

1. Name and Address of Reporting Person *

Kirgan Danielle L. 		2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol

DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC [ DRI ] 		5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer (Check all applicable)

_____ Director                      _____ 10% Owner
__ X __ Officer (give title below)      _____ Other (specify below)
SVP, CHRO
(Last)          (First)          (Middle)

1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE 		3. Date of Earliest Transaction (MM/DD/YYYY)

10/10/2016
(Street)

ORLANDO, FL 32837
(City)        (State)        (Zip)
4. If Amendment, Date Original Filed (MM/DD/YYYY)

 
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)

_ X _ Form filed by One Reporting Person
___ Form filed by More than One Reporting Person

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1.Title of Security
(Instr. 3) 		2. Trans. Date 2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any 3. Trans. Code
(Instr. 8) 		4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 		5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s)
(Instr. 3 and 4) 		6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V Amount (A) or (D) Price
Common Stock   10/10/2016     M    10200.0000   A $43.5800   15989.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/10/2016     M    9376.0000   A $45.5400   25365.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/10/2016     M    7179.0000   A $42.9900   32544.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/10/2016     M    5015.0000   A $39.0700   37559.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/10/2016     M    2464.0000   A $39.5300   40023.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/10/2016     S    28127.0000   D $62.4650   (1) 11896.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/11/2016     M    8946.0000   A $37.8300   20842.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/11/2016     M    2341.0000   A $39.5300   23183.0000   D    
Common Stock   10/11/2016     S    8780.0000   D $62.4670   (2) 14403.0000   D    

Table II - Derivative Securities Beneficially Owned ( e.g. , puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivate Security
(Instr. 3) 		2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Trans. Date 3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any 4. Trans. Code
(Instr. 8) 		5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D)
(Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 		6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date 7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security
(Instr. 3 and 4) 		8. Price of Derivative Security
(Instr. 5) 		9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form of Derivative Security: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
Code V (A) (D) Date Exercisable Expiration Date Title Amount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $39.0700   10/10/2016     M         5015.0000    5/17/2012   (3) 5/17/2020   Common Stock   5015.0000   $0.0000   0.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $39.5300   10/10/2016     M         2464.0000    7/23/2016   (4) 7/23/2024   Common Stock   2464.0000   $0.0000   12099.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $42.9900   10/10/2016     M         7179.0000    7/24/2015   (5) 7/24/2023   Common Stock   7179.0000   $0.0000   3700.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $43.5800   10/10/2016     M         10200.0000    7/25/2014   (6) 7/25/2022   Common Stock   10200.0000   $0.0000   0.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $45.5400   10/10/2016     M         9376.0000    7/27/2013   (7) 7/27/2021   Common Stock   9376.0000   $0.0000   0.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $39.5300   10/11/2016     M         2341.0000    7/23/2016   (4) 7/23/2024   Common Stock   2341.0000   $0.0000   9758.0000   D    
Stock Option (Right to Buy)   $37.8300   10/11/2016     M         8946.0000    7/28/2012   (8) 7/28/2020   Common Stock   8946.0000   $0.0000   0.0000   D    

Explanation of Responses:
( 1)  This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $62.40 to $62.55. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
( 2)  This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $62.25 to $62.67. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
( 3)  The option vested in three equal installments on May 17, 2012, 2013, and 2014.
( 4)  The option vests in three equal installments on July 23, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
( 5)  The option vests in three equal installments on July 24, 2015, 2016, and 2017.
( 6)  The option vested in three equal installments on July 25, 2014, 2015, and 2016.
( 7)  The option vested in three equal installments on July 27, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
( 8)  The option vested in three equal installments on July 28, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Reporting Owners
Reporting Owner Name / Address
Relationships
Director 10% Owner Officer Other
Kirgan Danielle L.
1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE
ORLANDO, FL 32837

SVP, CHRO

Signatures
Anthony G. Morrow, Attorney-in-fact for Kirgan, Danielle L. 10/12/2016
** Signature of Reporting Person Date


Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4(b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations. See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.
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