Document:

Form of Amended and Restated Management Continuity Agreement

 EXHIBIT 10(b) 
 AMENDED AND RESTATED 
 MANAGEMENT CONTINUITY AGREEMENT 
 THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED MANAGEMENT CONTINUITY AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) between Darden Restaurants, Inc., a Florida corporation (the
“Corporation”), and                     (the “Executive”), is hereby entered into as of
            , 20        , amends and restates the original Management Continuity Agreement between the Corporation and the Executive dated as of
                     (the “Original Agreement”), and is effective as of the date of the Original Agreement (the “Original Agreement
Date”). 
 WITNESSETH: 
 WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to attract and retain well-qualified executive and key personnel and to assure both itself and the Executive of continuity of management in the event of any Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) of
the Corporation; 
 WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Executive wish to amend and restate the Original Agreement, while keeping the effective
date of this Agreement the same as that of the Original Agreement; 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Corporation and the Executive as follows: 
 1. Operation of Agreement. The
“Effective Date” of this Agreement shall be the date during the Contract Period (as defined in Section 3) on which a Change of Control occurs. 
 2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean an event during the Contract Period required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of the Current
Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on the date hereof, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 

 
(the “Exchange Act”); provided that, without limitation, such a “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) a
person, including a “group” as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities
ordinarily having the right to vote for the election of directors of the Corporation; or (ii) individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation as of the date hereof (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to
constitute at least two-thirds thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least three-quarters
of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this clause (ii), considered as though such persons were a member of the Incumbent Board. 
 3. Contract Period. The “Contract Period” is the period commencing on the Original Agreement Date and ending on the second anniversary of such date; provided, however, that commencing on
the date one year after the Original Agreement Date, and on each annual anniversary of such date (the date one year after the Original Agreement Date, and each annual anniversary of such date, is hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal
Date”), the Contract Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate two years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Corporation shall give notice that the Contract Period shall not be so
extended subject however that any failure of the Corporation to give such notice shall not limit or reduce in any manner the rights and benefits of the Executive contained in this Agreement if a Change of Control has occurred during a Contract
Period and, in such event, notwithstanding that a Contract Period may have ended, the rights and benefits of the Executive shall continue in full force and effect until all obligations of the Corporation to the Executive under this Agreement have
been met and satisfied. 
  

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 4. Certain Definitions. 
 (a) Cause. The Executive’s employment may be terminated for Cause if a majority of the Board of Directors, after the Executive shall have been
afforded a reasonable opportunity to appear in person before the Board of Directors and to present such evidence as the Executive deems appropriate, determines that Cause exists. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means (i) an
act or acts of fraud or misappropriation on the Executive’s part which result in or are intended to result in his or her personal enrichment at the expense of the Corporation and which constitute a criminal offense under State or Federal laws,
(ii) conviction of a felony, or (iii) a physical or mental disability which (A) materially interferes with the capacity of the Executive in fulfilling his or her responsibilities and which will qualify the Executive for disability
benefits from a Corporation-sponsored plan, or (B) meets the definition of “Disabled” in an award agreement evidencing an award granted to Executive under a Corporation stock incentive or other equity compensation plan. 
 (b) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means: 
 (i) without the express written consent of the Executive (A) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any
substantial respect with the Executive’s position, authority or responsibilities as in effect during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement, or (B) any other substantial adverse change in such position
(including titles), authority, or responsibilities; or 
 (ii) any failure by the Corporation to furnish the Executive with
compensation and benefits at a level equal to or exceeding those received by the Executive from the Corporation during the 90-day period preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement, including a failure by the Corporation to maintain its policy of
paying retirement and supplemental savings plan 

  

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benefits which would be payable under the retirement plan(s) of the Corporation but for the limits imposed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as may be amended (“ERISA”), other than an insubstantial and inadvertent failure remedied by the Corporation promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; or 
 (iii) the Corporation’s requiring the Executive to be based or to perform services at any office or location other than that at which
the Executive is based at the Effective Date of this Agreement, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities; or 
 (iv) any failure by the Corporation to obtain the assumption and agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by
Section 9(b); or 
 (v) any failure by the Corporation to deposit amounts which may become payable to the Executive to
the Trustee as contemplated by Section 8. 
 For purposes of this Section 4(b), any determination of “Good Reason” made
by the Executive shall be conclusive. 
 (c) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Corporation for Cause or by the Executive
for Good Reason or otherwise shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 10(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which:
(i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the
provision so indicated (provided, however, that any Notice of Termination given (A) by the Executive during a 30 day period commencing the first day and ending on the 31st day after one year 

  

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from the Effective Date, or (B) by the Corporation more than two years after the Effective Date, need not set forth any such basis for termination) and
(iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined in Section 4(d)) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies such date, which shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice. 
 (d) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified
therein (which date shall be not more than 15 days after giving such notice), as the case may be. 
 (e) Separation from Service.
“Separation from Service” means any separation from service from the Corporation as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations issued thereunder (the
“Code”). 
 5. Obligations of the Corporation upon Termination. 
 (a) Good Reason and other than for Cause subject to the limitations of Section 5(b). If: 
 (i) within two years after the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Corporation shall terminate the Executive’s employment for any
reason other than for Cause; or 
 (ii) within two years after the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Executive shall
terminate his employment for Good Reason, then: 
 the Corporation shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash on the first day of the seventh month
following the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the first day of the month following the date of the Executive’s death) the aggregate of the amounts determined pursuant to the following clauses (A), (B) and
(C) but reduced if required under the provisions in clause (D), as follows: 
 (A) if not theretofore paid, the
Executive’s annual base salary through the Date of Termination at the 

  

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rate in effect at the time the Notice of Termination was given, plus a bonus, determined in accordance with the provisions of the following clause (B)(ii),
for that fraction of the fiscal year completed as of the date the Notice of Termination was given; and 
 (B) three times the
sum of (i) the Executive’s annual base salary at the rate in effect at the time the Notice of Termination was given and (ii) an amount equal to the highest bonus paid to the Executive by the Corporation or its predecessor in any of
the preceding three fiscal years; and 
 (C) during the period of three years following the Date of Termination (this period
of time from the Date of Termination is hereinafter referred to as the “Unexpired Period”), the Corporation shall continue to provide all benefits which the Executive and/or his spouse is or would have been entitled to receive under all
present and post-retirement medical, dental, vision, disability, executive life, group life, accidental death and other programs of the Corporation, in each case on a basis providing the Executive or his spouse with benefits at least equal to those
provided by the Corporation for the Executive under such plans and programs in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date of this Agreement, subject that (i) if an Executive is terminated under the
provisions of 

  

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Section 5(a) or Section 5(b), and at the Date of Termination the Executive would not qualify for post-retirement benefits under the plans and
programs then in effect during such 90-day period for the reason that the Executive has not reached his 55th birthday, the Executive shall nevertheless be entitled to such benefits equal to the benefits such Executive would have received if the
Executive was of the age of 55 at the Date of Termination; and (ii) the Executive and/or his spouse, as the case may be, shall receive supplemental periodic payments equal to retirement and savings plan benefits which would be payable under the
applicable retirement plan of the Corporation but for limits imposed by ERISA, calculated as if the Executive (a) had been employed to the end of the Unexpired Period; (b) had retired at the age he would have attained at the end of the
Unexpired Period; and (c) had earnings to the end of the Unexpired Period at a rate equal to the rate of Executive’s total compensation for the calendar year prior to the Effective Date of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, to the extent benefits provided under this clause (C) provide a benefit that the Corporation determines is taxable to the Executive and is not otherwise excepted from the definition of “deferred
compensation” under Code Section 409A, the 
  

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 Executive shall pay to the Corporation during each of the first six months following the
Executive’s Separation from Service an amount equal to the cost to the Corporation of the benefits provided during such month. Payment shall be due on or before the last day of each month during which the benefits are provided. The Corporation
shall then reimburse the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the first day of the month following the date of the Executive’s death) for all such amounts paid
by the Executive to the Corporation, without interest; and 
 (D) In the event that the Executive would otherwise become
entitled to any or all of the specified payments under clauses (A), (B) or (C) of this Section 5(a) or under Section 5(b) or to any other payments or benefits to be received by the Executive in connection with a Change of Control
of the Corporation or the Executive’s termination of employment pursuant to the terms of any plan, stock option, restricted stock, performance stock units, or other benefits or arrangement or agreement with the Corporation, or any person or
entity whose actions result in a Change of Control of the Corporation, or any person or entity affiliated with the Corporation which together with the payments or benefits under 

  

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Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) constitute the “Total Payments” and such Total Payments (or any part thereof) are “parachute
payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2), then all “excess parachute payments” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(1) which are subject to the excise tax, and/or any similar tax that may hereafter be
imposed by the federal or any state or local government (the “Excise Tax”), shall be reduced by an amount required to eliminate by a margin of $1,000.00 any liability for the tax under Code Section 4999 or any Excise Tax. Such
reduction shall first be applied to the amount determined under clause (B) and then only to payments under clauses (A) or (C) or the payments under Section 5(b), provided, however, that such reduction shall not
cause (i) the payment determined under Section 5(a) to be less than the payment under Section 5(b) or (ii) the payment determined under Section 5(b) to be less than an amount equal to six months “annual base
salary” and one-half of the “bonus” pursuant to Section 5(a)(B). If the reduction would cause the payment to be less than specified in the preceding clause (i) or (ii), then an additional “gross-up” amount shall be
paid to the Executive for any liability for an Excise Tax resulting from meeting the minimum payment called for under clause (i) or (ii). The 
  

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 amounts, reductions and payments including a “gross-up” for an Excise Tax, pursuant to the
preceding shall be determined by the Corporation’s independent public accountants serving prior to the Change of Control. The amount of the “gross-up” payments shall be calculated by reference to the Excise Tax imposed on the
Corporation’s payments, and the increase in the Executive’s federal, state and local taxes attributable to such “gross-up” payments, net of the reduction in U.S. federal income taxes obtained from the deduction of such state and
local taxes if paid in the year the “gross-up” payments are received. The “gross-up” payments shall be made by the Corporation to the Executive on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive’s Separation from
Service (or, if earlier, the first day of the month following the date of the Executive’s death), but in no event later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the taxes to which the
“gross-up” payments pertain. 
 (b) By the Executive in accordance with Section 4(c)(ii)(A) or by the Corporation more than
two years after the Effective Date. If the Executive in accordance with Section 4(c)(ii)(A), or the Corporation more than two years after the Effective Date for any reason other than cause, shall cause the termination of the
Executive’s employment, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the benefits specified under clauses (A), (B), and (C) of Section (5)(a) except that the words 

  

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“three times” in clause (B) and “three years” in clause (C) shall be substituted by “one times” and “one
year,” respectively. The Corporation shall pay such amounts in accordance with Section 5(a). 
 6. Non-exclusivity of
Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive deferred compensation or other plan or program provided by the Corporation or any of its affiliated
companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any employment, stock option, performance stock units or other agreements with the Corporation or any
of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the Corporation or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall
be payable in accordance with such plan or program and shall not in any manner be included in the determination of benefits calculated under clauses (A) or (B) of Section 5(a). 
 7. Full Settlement. The Corporation’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Corporation may have against the Executive or others or by any amounts received by Executive
from others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 8, the Corporation
agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Corporation or others of the validity or enforceability
of, or liability under any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee 

  

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of performance thereof, in each case plus interest, compounded monthly, on the total unpaid amount determined to be payable under this Agreement, such
interest to be calculated on the basis of the “Prime Rate” as reported in the Wall Street Journal during the period of such nonpayment plus 5%. Any payments related to reimbursements for legal fees and expenses in accordance with this
Section 7 shall be made before the end of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which such fees and expenses are incurred by the Executive. 
 8. Trustee. The Corporation has entered into a Benefits Trust Agreement dated as of October 3, 1995 (as amended from time to time, the “Trust Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Bank, National
Association, as successor to Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, formerly known as Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) to hold assets of the Corporation under certain circumstances as a
reserve for the discharge of the Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement and certain plans of deferred compensation of the Corporation. In the event of a Change of Control as defined in Section 2 hereof, the Corporation shall be
obligated to immediately contribute such amounts to the trust created under the Trust Agreement (the “Trust”) as may be necessary to fully fund all benefits payable under this Agreement. Executive shall have the right to demand and secure
specific performance of this provision. All assets held in the Trust remain subject only to the claims of the Corporation’s general creditors whose claims against the Corporation are not satisfied because of the Corporation’s bankruptcy or
insolvency (as those terms are defined in the Trust Agreement). The Executive does not have any preferred claim on, or beneficial ownership interest in, any assets of the Trust before the assets are paid to the Executive and all rights created under
the Trust, as under this Agreement, are unsecured contractual claims of the Executive against the Corporation. Except in the case of a breach of fiduciary duty by the Trustee, (1) neither the Executive nor the Executive’s legal
representatives, heirs or 

  

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legatees shall have any claim or right of action against the Trustee for the performance of its duties under the Trust or the payment of the
Corporation’s obligations under this Agreement, and (2) the Corporation shall not be liable for the payment of any legal fees or expenses incurred by the Executive or his or her legal representatives, heirs or legatees in pursuing any such
action or claim against the Trustee. 
 In the event the funding of the Trust described in the preceding paragraph does not occur, upon
written demand by the Executive given at any time after a Change of Control occurs, the Corporation shall deposit in another trust (“Alternative Trust”) with an institutional trustee designated by the Executive in such demand
(“Institutional Trustee”) amounts which may become payable to the Executive pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) with irrevocable instructions to pay amounts to the Executive when due in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, provided, however, that the Alternative Trust shall, like the Trust, remain subject only to the claims of the Corporation’s general creditors whose claims against the Corporation are not satisfied because of the
Corporation’s bankruptcy or insolvency (as those terms are defined in the Trust Agreement). All charges of the Institutional Trustee shall be paid by the Corporation. The Institutional Trustee shall be entitled to rely conclusively on the
Executive’s written statement as to the fact that payments are due under this Agreement and the amount of such payments. If the Institutional Trustee is not notified that payments are due under this Agreement within two years and 60 days after
receipt of a deposit hereunder, all amounts deposited with the Institutional Trustee and earnings with respect thereto shall be delivered to the Corporation on demand. 
 9. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Corporation shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives, heirs and legatees. 
  

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 (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Corporation and its successors.
The Corporation shall require any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation, whether directly or indirectly, by purchase, merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock, or otherwise, by an agreement in form
and substance satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. 
 10. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the
parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives. 
 (b) All notices and other communications shall be addressed as
follows: 
  

									
		 	If to the Executive:	 		 		 	
					
		 	Darden Restaurants, Inc.	 		 		 	
		 	5900 Lake Ellenor Drive	 		 		 	
		 	Orlando, FL 32809	 		 		 	
					
		 	If to the Corporation:	 		 		 	
					
		 	Darden Restaurants, Inc.	 		 		 	
		 	5900 Lake Ellenor Drive	 		 		 	
		 	Orlando, Florida 32809	 		 		 	
		 	Attn.: General Counsel	 		 		 	

  

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 or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and
communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee. 
 (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement. 
 (d) The Corporation may withhold from
any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. 
 (e) This Agreement contains the entire understanding with the Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof. 
 (f) The employment of Executive by the Corporation may be terminated by either the Executive or the Corporation at any time and for any reason. Nothing contained in the Agreement shall affect such rights to terminate, provided,
however, that nothing in this Section 10(f) shall prevent the Executive from receiving any amounts payable pursuant to Section 5(a) or Section 5(b) of this Agreement in the event of a termination described in such
Section 5(a) or 5(b). 
 11. Any dispute as to the terms or conditions of this Agreement or any breach thereof shall be subject to
binding arbitration under the rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association (the “Association”). The arbitration shall be held in Orlando, Florida and shall be decided by three arbitrators competent in the subject of the
dispute. Such proceeding shall be conducted under the rules of commercial arbitration of the Association. 
 12. This Agreement is intended
to comply with Code Section 409A, and will be interpreted in a manner intended to comply with Code Section 409A. In no event whatsoever will the Corporation be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the
Executive under Code Section 409A or any damages for failing to comply with Code Section 409A. A termination of employment shall not be 

  

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deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Code
Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a Separation from Service as defined in Section 4(e) hereof and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a
“termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean Separation from Service. If the Executive is deemed on the Date of Termination to be a “specified employee,” as determined in accordance with
procedures adopted by the Corporation that reflect the requirements of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) (and any applicable guidance thereunder), and the deferral of the commencement of any payments or benefits otherwise payable hereunder as a
result of such termination of employment is necessary to comply with Code Section 409A (after giving effect to all relevant exceptions including the exception for amounts qualifying as “short term deferrals”), then the Corporation
shall defer the commencement of payment of any such payments or benefits hereunder (without any reduction in such payments or benefits ultimately paid or provided) and accumulate such amounts with interest at a reasonable rate until the first day of
the seventh month following the termination of employment (or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death) at which time the accumulated amounts with interest shall be paid; and if any other payments of money or other benefits due to
Executive hereunder could result in a violation of Code Section 409A, such payments or other benefits shall be deferred if deferral will make such payments or other benefits compliant under Code Section 409A, or otherwise such payments or
other benefits shall be restructured, to the extent possible, in a manner, determined by the Corporation, that does not cause such a violation. To the extent any reimbursements, “gross-up” payments, or in-kind benefits due to Executive
under this Agreement constitute “deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A, any such reimbursements, “gross-up” payments, or in-kind benefits shall be paid no later 
  

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 than the last day of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred or the tax was
paid, as applicable, and in a manner consistent with Treas. Reg. §§ 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv) and (v), as applicable. Any reimbursement (other than medical reimbursements described in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv)(B)) or in-kind benefits
provided during a calendar year shall not affect the amount of reimbursement or in-kind benefits in any other calendar year. 
 IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his or her hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Corporation has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, and its corporate seal to be hereunder
affixed and attested by its secretary or assistant secretary, all as of the day and year first above written. 
  

							
		 		 	DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
				
	  
	 		 	By	  	  

	Executive	 		 	Its	  	  

				
		 		 		  	ATTEST:
				
		 		 		  	  

		 		 		  	Secretary

  

 -17-Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement

 EXHIBIT 10(c) 
 NOTICE OF 
 STOCK OPTION GRANT 
 This certifies that [name] 
 has an option to purchase **[number]* shares of Common
Stock, no par value, 
 of Darden Restaurants, Inc., a Florida corporation. 
  

				
	 Employee Number:
	  		
		
	 Grant Date:
	  	                    , 200  	 
		
	 Purchase Price Per Share:
	  		
		
	 Expiration Date:
	  	                    , 20    	 
		
	 Type of Option:
	  	Non-Qualified	 
		
	 Salary or Bonus Replacement Option
	  	Yes         No        	 
		
	 Exercisable Date:
	  	[vesting schedule	]

 This Stock Option is governed by, and subject in all respects to, the terms and conditions of the
Non-Qualified 
 Stock Option Agreement, a copy of which is attached to and made a part of this document, and the 
 Darden Restaurants, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, a copy of which is available upon request. 
 This Notice of Stock Option Grant has been duly executed, by manual or facsimile signature, 
 on behalf of Darden Restaurants, Inc. 
  

					
	[signature]	 		 	[signature]
			
	 Chairman of the Board
 Chief Executive Officer
	 	DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.	 	 Senior Vice President
 General Counsel and Secretary

 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. 
 2002 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN 
 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 This Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement is between Darden Restaurants, Inc., a Florida corporation (the “Company”), and
you, the person named in the attached Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice”). This Agreement is effective as of the date of grant set forth in the attached Notice (the “Grant Date”). 
 The Company desires to provide you with an opportunity to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock, no par value (the “Common
Stock”), as provided in this Agreement in order to carry out the purpose of the Company’s 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). 
 Accordingly, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and you hereby agree as follows: 
 1. Grant of Option. 
 The Company
hereby grants to you, effective as of the Grant Date, the right and option (the “Option”) to purchase all or any part of the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock set forth in the attached Notice, on the terms and conditions contained
in this Agreement and in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The Option is not intended to be an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). 
 2. Exercise Price. 
 The per share
purchase price of the shares subject to the Option shall be the purchase price per share set forth in the attached Notice. 
 3. Term of
Option and Exercisability. The term of the Option shall be for a period of ten years from the Grant Date, terminating at the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the attached Notice (the “Expiration Date”) or such
shorter period as is prescribed in Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Agreement. The Option shall become exercisable, or vest, on the date or dates set forth in the attached Notice, subject to the provisions of Sections 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this
Agreement. To the extent the Option is exercisable, you may exercise it in whole or in part, at any time, or from time to time, prior to the termination of the Option. 
 4. Change of Control. 
 Notwithstanding the vesting provisions contained in Section 3 above, but
subject to the other terms and conditions contained in this Agreement, from and after a Change of Control (as defined below) the following provisions shall apply: 
 (a) If you are employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full for a period of six months following the date of the Change of Control. After this
six-month period, the vesting provisions contained in Section 3 above and in the attached Notice will govern with respect to any unexercised portion of the Option. However, if your employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company is
terminated within two years after a Change of Control, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and the Option shall expire on the earlier of (i) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (ii) the date that is three
months after the date of your termination of employment. 

 (b) If you are serving on the Board of Directors of the Company but are not an employee of the Company or
an Affiliate of the Company (a “Non-Employee Director”), the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and the Option shall expire on the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice. 
 (c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following events: 
 (i) any person (including a group as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) becomes,
directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the shares of the Company entitled to vote for the election of directors; 
 (ii) as a result of or in connection with any cash tender offer, exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of assets or contested election, or combination of the foregoing, the persons who were
directors of the Company just prior to such event cease to constitute a majority of the Company’s Board of Directors; or 
 (iii) the consummation of a transaction in which the Company ceases to be an independent publicly-owned corporation or the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. 
 5. Effect of Termination of Employment or End of Board Service. 
 (a) If you cease to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company and the Option is not a Salary Replacement Option or a Bonus Replacement Option as indicated in the Notice, any portion of the Option that
was not vested on the date of your termination of employment shall be forfeited and any portion of the Option that was vested on the date of your termination of employment may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth
in the Notice and (y) the date that is three months after the date of your termination of employment, except that: 
 (i)
if the Company or an Affiliate of the Company terminates your employment involuntarily and not for cause (as determined by the Committee administering the Plan), and your combined age and years of service with the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company equal at least 70, then (A) any portion of the Option that has not vested as of the date of your termination of employment shall vest on a pro rata basis and become immediately exercisable, based on the number of full months of
employment completed from the Grant Date to the date of your termination of 

  

 2 

 
employment divided by the number of full months in the vesting period for any unvested portion of the Option, (B) any portion of the Option that has not
vested pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall be forfeited and (C) any portion of the Option that has vested (including any portion of the Option that has vested pursuant to the foregoing provisions) may be exercised until the earlier of
(x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your termination of employment; 
 (ii) if you retire on or after age 65 with five years of service with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company (“Normal Retirement”), the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be
exercised until the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice; 
 (iii) if you retire on or after age 55 with ten years of
service with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company but before Normal Retirement (“Early Retirement”), then (A) any portion of the Option that has not vested as of the date of your Early Retirement shall vest on a pro rata basis
and become immediately exercisable, based on the number of full months of employment completed from the Grant Date to the date of your Early Retirement divided by the number of full months in the vesting period for any unvested portion of the
Option, (B) any portion of the Option that has not vested pursuant to the foregoing provisions shall be forfeited and (C) any portion of the Option that has vested (including any portion of the Option that has vested pursuant to the
foregoing provisions) may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your Early Retirement; 
 (iv) if you die while employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and
may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your death. The Option may be exercised by your personal representative or the administrators of
your estate or by any Person or Persons to whom the Option has been transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution; or 
 (v) if you become Disabled (as defined below) while employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full as of the Disability Date (as defined below) and may
be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date on which the Committee administering the Plan makes the determination that you are Disabled (the
“Disability Date”). The Option may be exercised by your personal representative. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disabled” means you have a disability due to illness or injury which is expected to be permanent in nature and
which prevents you from performing the material duties required by your regular occupation, all as determined by the Committee administering the Plan. 
 (b) If you cease to be employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company and the Option is a Salary Replacement Option or a Bonus Replacement Option as indicated in the Notice, the Option shall become immediately
exercisable in full and may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is three months after the date of your termination of employment, except that: 
 (i) if the Company or an Affiliate of the Company terminates your employment involuntarily and not for cause (as determined by the
Committee administering the Plan), and your combined age and years of service with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company equal at least 70, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be exercised until the earlier of
(x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your termination of employment; 
  

 3 

 (ii) if you retire under Normal Retirement, the Option shall become immediately
exercisable in full and may be exercised until the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice; 
 (iii) if you retire under Early
Retirement, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your Early Retirement;

 (iv) if you die while employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the Option shall become immediately
exercisable in full and may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your death. The Option may be exercised by your personal representative or
the administrators of your estate or by any Person or Persons to whom the Option has been transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution; or 
 (v) if you become Disabled while employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, the Option shall become immediately exercisable
in full and may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the Disability Date. The Option may be exercised by your personal representative. 
 (c) If you are a Non-Employee Director and you cease to serve on the Board of Directors, any portion of the Option that was not vested on your last day
of Board service shall be forfeited and any portion of the Option that was vested on your last day of Board service may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is three months
after your last day of Board service, except that: 
 (i) if you have served on the Company’s Board of Directors for at
least five years, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full on your last day of Board service and may be exercised until the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice; 
 (ii) if you die while serving on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be
exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the date of your death. The Option may be exercised by your personal representative or the administrators of your
estate or by any Person or Persons to whom the Option has been transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution; 
  

 4 

 (iii) if you become Disabled while serving on the Company’s Board of Directors, the
Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be exercised until the earlier of (x) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice and (y) the date that is five years after the Disability Date. The Option may be exercised by
your personal representative; or 
 (iv) if the Option is a Salary Replacement Option as indicated in the Notice, the Option
shall become immediately exercisable in full and may be exercised for the same period of time that would apply pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5(c) if the Option were not a Salary Replacement Option. 
 6. Non-Competition. 
 Notwithstanding
the provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, if, within two years following your termination of employment with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company for any reason (including Normal Retirement or Early Retirement), you directly or
indirectly (a) own, manage or operate, become or are employed by, or provide consulting, advisory or other services to any enterprise, corporation or business that owns or operates casual dining restaurants anywhere in the United States or
Canada (a “Competitor”) or (b) you solicit or induce any person who is an employee of the Company or an Affiliate of the Company to own, manage or operate, become employed by, or provide consulting, advisory or other services to a
Competitor, then your Option will expire on the earlier of (i) the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice or (ii) on the date that is three months after the date you commenced employment with the Competitor or took the competitive action
described above. 
 7. Financial Restatements. 
 This Section 7 only applies to you if at any time you were or are designated as an officer-level employee in the Company payroll system with the Peoplesoft identifier “OFC” or its equivalent.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3, 4, 5 and 8 of this Agreement, if (a) the Company is required to restate its financial statements due to fraud and (b) the Committee administering the Plan determines that you have knowingly
participated in such fraud, then the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, at any time within two years following such restatement, require you to, and you shall immediately upon notice of such Committee determination, return to the
Company any shares of Common Stock received by you or your personal representative from the exercise of the Option and pay to the Company in cash the amount of any proceeds received by you or your personal representative from the disposition or
transfer of, and any dividends or other distributions of cash or property received by you or your personal representative with respect to, any shares of Common Stock received by you or your personal representative from the exercise of the Option, in
each case during the period commencing two years before the beginning of the restated financial period and ending on the date of such Committee determination. In addition, any portion of the Option that is not vested on the date that the Committee
makes such determination shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited and any portion of the Option that is vested on such date shall immediately cease to be 

  

 5 

 
exercisable and shall be immediately and irrevocably forfeited. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 7, the Committee shall have the
authority and discretion to make any determination regarding the specific implementation of this Section 7 with respect to you. 
 8.
Method of Exercising Option. 
 (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, you may exercise your Option by following
the procedures established by the Company from time to time. In addition, you may exercise your Option by written notice to the Company as provided in Section 11 of this Agreement that states (i) your election to exercise the Option,
(ii) the Grant Date of the Option, (iii) the purchase price of the shares, (iv) the number of shares as to which the Option is being exercised, (v) the manner of payment and (vi) the manner of payment for any income tax
withholding amount. The notice shall be signed by you or the Person or Persons exercising the Option. The notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price for all shares designated in the notice. To the extent that the Option is
exercised after your death or the Disability Date, the notice of exercise shall also be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such Person or Persons to exercise the Option. 
 (b) Payment of the exercise price shall be made to the Company through one or a combination of the following methods: 
 (i) cash, in United States currency (including check, draft, money order or wire transfer made payable to the Company); or 
 (ii) delivery (either actual delivery or by attestation) of shares of Common Stock acquired by you more than six months prior to the date
of exercise having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Option exercise price. You shall represent and warrant in writing that you are the owner of the shares so delivered, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, security
interests and restrictions, and you shall duly endorse in blank all certificates delivered to the Company. 
 9. Taxes. 
 (a) You acknowledge that you will consult with your personal tax adviser regarding the income tax consequences of exercising the Option or any other
matters related to this Agreement. If you are employed by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company, in order to comply with all applicable federal, state, local or foreign income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it
deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal, state, local or foreign payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are your sole and absolute responsibility, are withheld or collected from you. 
 (b) In accordance with the terms of the Plan, and such rules as may be adopted by the Committee administering the Plan, you may elect to satisfy any
applicable tax withholding obligations arising from the exercise of the Option by (i) delivering cash (including check, draft, money order or wire transfer made payable to the order of the Company), (ii) having the Company withhold a
portion of the shares of Common Stock otherwise to be delivered upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes or (iii) delivering to the Company shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal
to the 

  

 6 

 
amount of such taxes. The Company will not deliver any fractional share of Common Stock but will pay, in lieu thereof, the Fair Market Value of such
fractional share. Your election must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. 
 10.
Adjustments. 
 In the event that the Committee administering the Plan shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether
in the form of cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares or other
securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase shares or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the shares covered by the Option such that an adjustment is determined by
the Committee administering the Plan to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Agreement, then the Committee administering the Plan shall, in such
manner as it may deem equitable, in its sole discretion, adjust any or all of the number and type of the shares covered by the Option and the exercise price of the Option. 
 11. General Provisions. 
 (a)
Interpretations. This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms of the Plan. A copy of the Plan is available upon your request. Terms used herein which are defined in the Plan shall have the respective meanings given to such terms in
the Plan, unless otherwise defined herein. In the event that any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Any question of administration or interpretation arising under this
Agreement shall be determined by the Committee administering the Plan, and such determination shall be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties in interest. 
 (b) No Rights as a Shareholder. Neither you nor your legal representatives shall have any of the rights and privileges of a shareholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock subject to the
Option unless and until such shares are issued upon exercise of the Option. 
 (c) No Right to Employment or Board Service. Nothing in
this Agreement or the Plan shall be construed as giving you the right to be retained as an employee of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company or to continue to serve on the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company may at any time dismiss you from employment, free from any liability or any claim under this Agreement, unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement. 
 (d) Option Not Transferable. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan or by the Committee administering the Plan, the Option shall not be
transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and the Option shall be exercisable during your lifetime only by you or, if permissible under applicable law, by your guardian or legal representative. The Option may not be
pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or encumbrance of the Option shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate of the Company. 
  

 7 

 (e) Reservation of Shares. The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve
and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement. 
 (f)
Securities Matters. The Company shall not be required to deliver any shares of Common Stock until the requirements of any federal or state securities or other laws, rules or regulations (including the rules of any securities exchange) as may
be determined by the Company to be applicable are satisfied. 
 (g) Headings. Headings are given to the sections and subsections of
this Agreement solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or any provision hereof. 
 (h) Governing Law. The internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Florida will govern all questions concerning the validity,
construction and effect of this Agreement. 
 (i) Notices. You should send all written notices regarding this Agreement or the Plan to
the Company at the following address: 
 Darden Restaurants, Inc. 
 Supervisor, Stock Compensation Plans 
 5500 Lake Ellenor Drive 
 Orlando, FL 32809 
 (j) Notice of Stock Option Grant. This Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement is attached to and made part of a Notice of Stock Option Grant and
shall have no force or effect unless such Notice is duly executed and delivered by the Company to you. 
  

 8

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