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DARDEN RESTAURANTS

Transfer Agent, Registrar and Dividend Payments
First Union National Bank
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd., 3c3
Charlotte, NC 28288-1153
Phone: (800) 829-8432

Address correspondence as appropriate to the attention of:
Address Changes
Stock Transfers
Shareholder Services

Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP
111 North Orange Avenue
Suite 1600
Orlando, FL 32801
Phone: (407) 423-3426

Form 10-K Report
Company management believes that the financial statements in this Annual Report to Shareholders include all significant financial data required in annual reports filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Shareholders may request a free copy of the Company’s Form 10-K and attached schedules by writing to Secretary, Darden Restaurants, Inc., P.O. Box 593330, Orlando, FL 32859-3330.

Shareholder Reports/Investor Inquiries
Shareholders seeking information about Darden Restaurants are invited to contact the Investor Relations Department at (800) 832-7336. Recorded summaries of quarterly earnings announcements and other Company news are available on the toll-free line. Shareholders may also request to receive, free of charge, copies of the quarterly earnings releases.

Information may also be obtained by visiting the Web site address at www.darden.com. Annual reports, SEC filings, press releases and other Company news are readily available on the Web site.

Darden Restaurants Foundation Annual Report
To receive a copy of the 2000 Darden Restaurants Foundation Annual Report, mail a request to the Foundation Administrator, Darden Restaurants, P.O. Box 593330, Orlando, FL 32859-3330.

Notice of Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held at 11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Wednesday, September 20, 2000, at the Renaissance Orlando Resort Hotel, 6677 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida.

Markets
New York Stock Exchange
Stock Exchange Symbol: DRI

Web Site Addresses
www.darden.com
www.redlobster.com
www.olivegarden.com
tuscany.olivegarden.com
www.bahamabreeze.com
www.smokeybones.com

Company Address
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
5900 Lake Ellenor Drive
Orlando, FL 32809
Phone: (407) 245-4000

Mailing Address
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
P.O. Box 593330
Orlando, FL 32859-3330

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