Document:

Stock Incentive Plan

 Exhibit 10(l) 
 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. 
 2002 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN 
 Section 1. Purpose. 
 The purpose of the Plan is to
promote the interests of the Company and its shareholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining employees, officers, consultants, advisors and non-employee Directors capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to offer such
persons incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Company’s business and to compensate such persons through various stock-based arrangements and provide them with opportunities for stock ownership in the Company, thereby
aligning the interests of such persons with the Company’s shareholders. 
 Section 2. Definitions. 
 As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: 
 (a) “Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company
and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee. 
 (b)
“Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Dividend Equivalent, Stock Award or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan. 
 (c) “Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing an Award granted under the Plan. An
Award Agreement may be in an electronic medium and need not be signed by a representative of the Company. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and any other terms and conditions (not inconsistent
with the Plan) determined by the Committee. 
 (d) “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company. 
 (e) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. 

(f) “Committee” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board. The Committee shall be comprised of not less than such number of
Directors as shall be required to permit Awards granted under the Plan to qualify under Rule 16b-3, and each member of the Committee shall be a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an “outside
director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company expects to have the Plan administered in accordance with the requirements for the award of “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code. 
 (g) “Company” shall mean Darden Restaurants, Inc., a Florida corporation. 
 (h) “Director” shall mean a member of the Board. 

 (i) “Dividend Equivalent” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.

 (j) “Eligible Person” shall mean any employee, officer, consultant, advisor or non-employee Director providing services to the
Company or any Affiliate whom the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person. 
 (k) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 
 (l) “Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any property (including, without
limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by
the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares on a given date for purposes of the Plan shall be the mean of the high and low sales prices of the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system on
such date or, if such Exchange is not open for trading on such date, on the most recent preceding date when such Exchange is open for trading. 
 (m) “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision. 
 (n) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock
Option. 
 (o) “Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. 
 (p) “Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan. 
 (q) “Participant” shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an Award under the Plan. 
 (r) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association or trust. 
 (s) “Plan” shall mean this Darden Restaurants, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time. 
 (t) “Restricted Stock” shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan. 
 (u) “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash
payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date. 
  

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 (v) “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation. 
 (w) “Shares” shall mean shares of Common Stock, without par value,
of the Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to Awards pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan. 
 (x) “Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan. 
 (y) “Stock Award” shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan. 
 Section 3. Administration. 
 (a) Power and Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and to
applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be
covered by (or the method by which payments or other rights are to be calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement, including, without limitation, whether a Participant shall
be required to deposit with the Company shares of Common Stock owned by the Participant as a condition to receiving an Award; (v) amend the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement, provided, however, that, except as otherwise
provided in Section 4(c) hereof, the Committee shall not reprice, adjust or amend the exercise price of Options or the grant price of Stock Appreciation Rights previously awarded to any Participant, whether through amendment, cancellation and
replacement grant, or any other means; (vi) accelerate the exercisability of any Award or the lapse of restrictions relating to any Award; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be exercised in
cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement, including any Award Agreement, relating to the
Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that
the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award or
Award Agreement shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award or Award Agreement, and any employee of the Company
or any Affiliate. The Company intends that Awards under the Plan shall satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to avoid any adverse tax results thereunder and the Committee shall administer and interpret the Plan and all Award
Agreements in a manner consistent with that intent. In this regard, if any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement would result in adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may amend that provision (or take any
other action reasonably necessary) to avoid any adverse tax results and no action taken to comply with Section 409A of the Code shall be deemed to impair or otherwise adversely affect the rights of any holder of an Award or beneficiary thereof.

  

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 (b) Delegation. The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the Plan to one or more
Directors (including a Director who is also a senior executive officer of the Company) or a committee of Directors, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the
Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties under the Plan (i) with regard to officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act or (ii) in such a manner as would cause the
Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. 
 (c) Power and Authority of the Board of Directors.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, at any time and from time to time, without any further action of the Committee, exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan, unless the exercise of such
powers and duties by the Board would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. 
 Section 4. Shares Available
for Awards. 
 (a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) of the Plan, the aggregate number of
Shares that may be issued under all Awards under the Plan shall be 12,700,000. Shares to be issued under the Plan will be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares that have been reacquired by the Company and designated as treasury shares. If any
Shares covered by an Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited or are reacquired by the Company (including shares of Restricted Stock, whether or not dividends have been paid on such shares), or if an Award otherwise
terminates or is cancelled without delivery of any Shares, then the number of Shares counted pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Plan against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any
such forfeiture, reacquisition by the Company, termination or cancellation, shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan. 
 (b) Accounting for Awards. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted, in accordance
with this Section 4(b), on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan. With respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the number of Shares available for Awards under the
Plan shall be reduced by one Share for each Share covered by such Award or to which such Award relates. For Stock Appreciation Rights settled in Shares upon exercise, the aggregate number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right
is exercised, rather than the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise, shall be counted against the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan. With respect to any Awards that are granted after the annual meeting of shareholders of
the Company to be held in 2006, other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan shall be reduced by two Shares for each Share covered by such Award or to which such Award relates. Awards
that do not entitle the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares and Awards that are settled in cash shall not be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan. 
  

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 (c) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other
distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, 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 such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to
be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the
number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) that thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards and (iii) the
purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award. 
 (d) Award Limitations Under the Plan. 
 (i) Section 162(m) Limitation. No Eligible Person may be granted Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or any other Award or
Awards under the Plan, the value of which Award or Awards is based solely on an increase in the value of the Shares after the date of grant of such Award or Awards, for more than 1,000,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 4(c) of the Plan) in the aggregate in any calendar year. The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any Award or Awards representing “qualified performance-based compensation” within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code. 
 (ii) Limitation on Incentive Stock Options. The number of Shares available for
granting Incentive Stock Options under the Plan shall not exceed 12,700,000, subject to adjustment as provided in the Plan and subject to the provisions of Section 422 or 424 of the Code or any successor provision. 
 Section 5. Eligibility. 
 Any Eligible Person shall
be eligible to be designated a Participant. In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Eligible Persons, their
present and potential contributions to the success of the Company, or such other factors as the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to full-time or part-time
employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and Directors who are also employees), and an Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a “subsidiary
corporation” of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor provision. 
  

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 Section 6. Awards. 
 (a) Options. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of
the Plan as the Committee shall determine: 
 (i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an
Option shall be determined by the Committee and shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option; provided, however, that the Committee may designate a per share exercise price below Fair Market
Value on the date of grant (A) to the extent necessary or appropriate, as determined by the Committee, to satisfy applicable legal or regulatory requirements of a foreign jurisdiction or (B) if the Option is granted in substitution for a
stock option previously granted by an entity that is acquired by or merged with the Company or an Affiliate. 
 (ii) Option
Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee; provided, however, that the term of each Option shall not exceed a period longer than 10 years from the date of grant. 
 (iii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or
in part and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the
exercise date equal to the applicable exercise price) in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made. 
 (b) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Persons subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation
Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon exercise thereof the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a
specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant
of the Stock Appreciation Right; provided, however, that the Committee may designate a per share grant price below Fair Market Value on the date of grant (A) to the extent necessary or appropriate, as determined by the Committee, to satisfy
applicable legal or regulatory requirements of a foreign jurisdiction or (B) if the Stock Appreciation Right is granted in substitution for a stock appreciation right previously granted by an entity that is acquired by or merged with the
Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise, methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right
shall be as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that the term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed a period longer than 10 years from the date of grant. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the
exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate. 
  

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 (c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:

 (i) Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the
Committee may impose (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right or property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or in
combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate. The minimum vesting period of such Awards shall be three years from the date of grant, unless the Award is conditioned on performance of the
Company or an Affiliate or on personal performance (other than continued service with the Company or an Affiliate), in which case the Award may vest over a period of at least one year from the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Committee may permit acceleration of vesting of such Awards in the event of the Participant’s death, disability or retirement or a change in control of the Company. 
 (ii) Issuance and Delivery of Shares. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall be issued at the time such Awards are
granted and may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such certificate
or certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. Shares representing Restricted Stock that is no longer subject to restrictions
shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after the applicable restrictions lapse or are waived. In the case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such Awards are granted. Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and
the restricted period relating to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the holder of the Restricted Stock Units. 
 (iii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon a Participant’s termination of employment or
resignation or removal as a Director (in either case, as determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units held by the Participant at such
time shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be in the best interest of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to
Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. 
 (d) Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons under which the Participant shall be entitled to receive payments (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property as determined in the discretion of the Committee) equivalent to the amount
of cash dividends paid by the Company to holders of Shares with respect to a number of Shares determined by the Committee. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Dividend Equivalents may have such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may not grant Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons in connection with grants of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights to such Eligible Persons. 

 

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 (e) Stock Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to a Director, who is not also an
employee of the Company or an Affiliate, Shares without restrictions thereon, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Stock Awards may have
such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine. 
 (f) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to
grant to Eligible Persons such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are
deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards, subject to the terms of the Plan and the Award Agreement. Shares, or other securities delivered pursuant to
a purchase right granted under this Section 6(f), shall be purchased for consideration having a value equal to at least 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities on the date the purchase right is granted. The
consideration paid by the Participant may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof), as
the Committee shall determine. 
 (g) General. 
 (i) Consideration for Awards. Awards may be granted for no cash consideration or for any cash or other consideration as may be
determined by the Committee or required by applicable law; provided, however, that Options or Stock Appreciation Rights previously awarded to any Participant that are not in-the-money may not be used as consideration for the grant of any Award or
cancelled and replaced with a grant of the same type of Award or of a different type of Award. 
 (ii) Awards May Be
Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any
Affiliate. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the
grant of such other Awards or awards. 
 (iii) Forms of Payment under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of
any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine (including, without limitation, cash,
Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof), and may be made in a single payment or transfer or in installments, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the
Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents with respect to installment payments.

  

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 (iv) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for a period not longer than
10 years from the date of grant. 
 (v) Limits on Transfer of Awards. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee or
the terms of this Plan, no Award and no right under any such Award shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Award and no right under any such Award shall
be transferable by a Participant for consideration. The Committee may establish procedures as it deems appropriate for a Participant to designate a Person or Persons, as beneficiary or beneficiaries, to exercise the rights of the Participant and
receive any property distributable with respect to any Award in the event of the Participant’s death. Any Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act and has reached age 55 and has at least 10 years of service with the
Company and its Affiliates may transfer a Non-Qualified Stock Option to any “family member” (as such term is defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (or any successor to such Instructions or such Form) under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended) at any time that such Participant holds such Option, provided that such transfers may not be for value (i.e., the transferor may not receive any consideration therefor) and the family member may not make any subsequent
transfers other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. Each Award under the Plan or right under any such Award shall be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by the Participant (except as provided herein or in an
Award Agreement or amendment thereto relating to a Non-Qualified Stock Option) or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Award or right under any such Award may be pledged, alienated,
attached or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate. 
 (vi) Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing. All Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or
the exercise thereof shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan, applicable federal or state securities laws and regulatory requirements, and the Committee may cause appropriate entries to be made or
legends to be placed on the certificates for such Shares or other securities to reflect such restrictions. If the Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other
securities covered by an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been admitted for trading on such securities exchange. 
 Section 7.
Amendment and Termination; Corrections. 
 (a) Amendments to the Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may amend, alter,
suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, prior approval of the shareholders of the Company shall be required for any amendment to the Plan that:

 (i) requires shareholder approval under the rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York
Stock Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the Company; 
  

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 (ii) increases the number of shares authorized under the Plan as specified in Sections
4(a) and 4(b) of the Plan; 
 (iii) increases the number of shares subject to the limitations contained in Section 4(d)
of the Plan; 
 (iv) permits repricing of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights which is prohibited by Section 3(a)(v) of
the Plan; and 
 (v) permits the award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights at a price less than 100% of the Fair Market
Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, contrary to the provisions of Sections 6(a)(i) and 6(b)(ii) of the Plan. 
 (b) Amendments to Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may waive any conditions of or rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively. Except as
otherwise provided in the Plan, the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, but no such action may adversely affect the rights of the holder of such Award without the
consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof. 
 (c) Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies. The
Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award or Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to implement or maintain the effectiveness of the Plan.

 Section 8. Income Tax Withholding. 
 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 the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant, are withheld or collected from such Participant. In order to assist a Participant in paying all or a portion of the applicable taxes to be withheld
or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax
obligation by (a) electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such
taxes or (b) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes. The election, if any, must be
made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined. 
  

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 Section 9. General Provisions. 
 (a) No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons,
Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to different Participants. 
 (b) Award Agreements. No Participant shall have rights under an Award granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have
been duly executed on behalf of the Company and, if requested by the Company, signed by the Participant, or until such Award Agreement is delivered and accepted through any electronic medium in accordance with procedures established by the Company.

 (c) No Rights of Shareholders. Except with respect to Restricted Stock and Stock Awards, neither a Participant nor the
Participant’s legal representative shall be, or have any of the rights and privileges of, a shareholder of the Company with respect to any Shares issuable upon the exercise or payment of any Award, in whole or in part, unless and until the
Shares have been issued. 
 (d) No Limit on Other Compensation Plans or Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the
Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation plans or arrangements, and such plans or arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases. 
 (e) No Right to Employment or Directorship. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained as an
employee of the Company or any Affiliate, or a Director to be retained as a Director, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Participant’s employment at any time, with or without cause. In
addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan or any Award, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement. 
 (f) Governing Law. The internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Florida, shall govern all questions concerning the validity,
construction and effect of the Plan or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award. 
 (g)
Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such
provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such
provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. 
 (h) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a
Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the
Company or any Affiliate. 
  

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 (i) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan
or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Share or whether such fractional Share or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated. 
 (j) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan 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 the Plan or any provision thereof. 
 Section 10. Term of the
Plan. 
 Awards may be granted under the Plan until the Plan is terminated by the Board or until all Shares available for Awards under
the Plan have been purchased or acquired, provided, however, that Incentive Stock Options may not be granted following July 26, 2012. The Plan shall remain in effect as long as any Awards are outstanding. 
 Approved by Board effective July 26, 2002, subject to shareholder approval 
 Approved by shareholders September 19, 2002 
 Amended March 19, 2003 
 Amended by Board effective June 16, 2006, subject to shareholder approval 
 Approved by shareholders September 15,
2006 
 Amended by Board effective June 20, 2008, subject to shareholder approval 
 Approved by shareholders September 12, 2008 
 Amended June 18, 2009 
  

 12Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement

 Exhibit 10(o) 
 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	] 

 The following documents are provided in electronic format on the compact disc (“CD”) accompanying this
Certificate: (i) a Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Award Agreement”), which is incorporated into and made a part of this Certificate; (ii) the Darden Restaurants, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002
Plan”); and (iii) a Prospectus relating to the 2002 Plan. Paper copies of the foregoing are available on request directed to the Company’s Compensation Department. This Certificate is governed by, and subject in all respects to, the
terms and conditions of the Award Agreement and the 2002 Plan. This Certificate has been duly executed, by manual or facsimile signature, on behalf of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Grantee is not required to execute this Certificate, but has ten days
from the grant date indicated on this Certificate to notify the Company of any issues regarding the terms and conditions of this Certificate and the related Award Agreement; otherwise, grantee will be deemed to agree with them. 
 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” or
“Corporation”), 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 your employment with the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate within two years after a Change of Control for any reason other than for Cause, death or Disability (as defined in Section 5(a)(v) below) or you terminate employment for Good
Reason, the Option shall become immediately exercisable in full and the Option shall expire on the Expiration Date set forth in the Notice. 
 (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: 
 (i) Any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares
of common stock of the Corporation (the “Outstanding Corporation Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
(the “Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this Section 4(c), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (A) any acquisition directly from
the Corporation, (B) any acquisition by the Corporation, (C) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with
the Corporation (an “Affiliated Company”) or (D) any acquisition pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 4(c)(iii)(1), 4(c)(iii)(2) and 4(c)(iii)(3); 
 (ii) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Incumbent Board”) cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”); provided, however, that any individual 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 a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual was a member of the Incumbent Board, but
excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; 
 (iii) Consummation of a reorganization, merger,
statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar transaction involving the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or the acquisition of assets or
securities of another entity by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that
were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and the 

  

 2 

 
Outstanding Corporation Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a non-corporate
entity, equivalent governing body), as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Corporation or all or substantially all of the
Corporation’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Corporation Common Stock and the Outstanding
Corporation Voting Securities, as the case may be, (2) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Corporation or such entity resulting from such Business
Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a non-corporate entity, equivalent securities) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors (or, for a
non-corporate entity, equivalent governing body) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such
Business Combination; or 
 (iv) Approval by the stockholders of the Corporation of a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Corporation. 
 (d) For purposes of Section 4 and 5 hereof, the following definitions shall apply: 
 (i) Cause. Your employment may be terminated for Cause if the Committee administering the Plan, after you shall have been afforded a
reasonable opportunity to appear in person together with counsel before the Committee and to present such evidence as you deem appropriate, determines that Cause exists. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” means (1) an act or acts
of fraud or misappropriation on your part which result in or are intended to result in your personal enrichment at the expense of the Corporation and which constitute a criminal offense under State or Federal laws or (2) conviction of a felony.

 (ii) Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means: 
 1. without your express written consent (a) the assignment to you of any duties inconsistent in any substantial respect with your
position, authority or responsibilities as in effect during the 90-day period immediately preceding the date of a Change of Control or (b) any other substantial adverse change in such position (including titles), authority or responsibilities;
or 
  

 3 

 2. any failure by the Corporation to furnish you with base salary, target annual bonus
opportunity, long-term incentive opportunity or aggregate employee benefits at a level equal to or exceeding those received by you from the Corporation during the 90-day period preceding the date of a Change of Control, other than (a) an
insubstantial and inadvertent failure remedied by the Corporation promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you or (b) with respect to aggregate employee benefits only, any such failure resulting from an across-the-board reduction in
employee benefits applicable to all similarly situated employees of the Corporation generally; or 
 3. the Corporation’s
requiring you to be based or to perform services at any office or location more than 30 miles from the office or location at which you were based as of immediately prior to the date of a Change of Control, except for travel reasonably required in
the performance of your responsibilities. 
 For purposes of this Section 4(d)(ii), any determination of “Good
Reason” shall be made by the Committee administering the Plan and shall be conclusive. Your mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (1) through (3) shall not affect your ability to
terminate employment for Good Reason and your death following termination for Good Reason shall not affect your estate’s entitlement to payments provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for Good Reason. 
 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, 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 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; 
  

 4 

 (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” or “Disability” 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, 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; 
  

 5 

 (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; 
 (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 
  

 6 

 (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 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 

  

 7 

 
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 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, 

  

 8 

 
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. 
 (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. 
  

 9 

 (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 incorporated into and made part of a Notice of Stock Option Grant and shall have no force or effect unless such Notice is duly executed, by manual or
facsimile signature and delivered by the Company to you. 
  

 10

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