Better Health for All

Darden Restaurants has made significant efforts to improve public health through food donations and enhancing the nutritional quality and safety of its menu items. In fiscal 2023, its Harvest program donated 5.3 million pounds of surplus food, equivalent to 4.4 million meals, to address food insecurity

. During COVID-19, the company also contributed $2 million to Feeding America . Regarding its core offerings, Darden reduced calories by 9.2% and sodium by 19.3% across core menus within five years and enhanced children's menus with healthier options, including fruits/vegetables as default sides and 1% milk . The company also joined the Healthy Dining Program to offer dietitian-approved choices . For food safety, Darden prioritizes its Total Quality program with quarterly audits and committed to sourcing chicken raised without medically important antibiotics by 2023 .

Fair Pay & Worker Respect

Darden Restaurants reported a consolidated voluntary turnover rate for hourly team members of 80% in fiscal year 2024.

The CEO-to-median employee pay ratio was 607:1 in 2025, based on a CEO compensation of $13,995,870 and median employee pay of $23,074.

Honest & Fair Business

Darden has a comprehensive whistleblower protection policy that establishes procedures for receiving, retaining, and treating complaints regarding accounting, auditing, financial matters, illegal acts, or policy violations.

It allows for confidential and anonymous submissions , explicitly states there will be no retaliation against individuals who report violations , and communicates toll-free hotlines through posters in all restaurants. An outside third-party service, SilentWhistle by Allegiance, Inc., is engaged to handle submissions. Darden also maintains a comprehensive anti-corruption policy requiring compliance with all applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The policy explicitly prohibits undisclosed commissions, kickbacks, or bribes , and states no deviation is authorized even if a payment is legal under foreign law. Payments in foreign countries require prior written approval from the General Counsel, who determines legality with local experts. Records of gratuities are maintained for audit purposes.

Kind to Animals

Darden Restaurants requires 100% of its land-based protein suppliers that handle live animals to submit and pass third-party animal welfare audits, with all suppliers passing in fiscal 2025.

The company's Animal Welfare Working Group reviews audit failures and can suspend or terminate supplier contracts. Approximately 56% of pork volume purchased in fiscal 2025 was from suppliers using group housing for sows. While Darden's goal is 100% cage-free egg products for owned and operated U.S. restaurants, some eggs purchased in fiscal 2025 were from traditional farms due to avian influenza impacting supply. Darden is a member of a working committee for the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and participates in the Roundtable for Sustainable Poultry and Eggs. The company supports FDA guidance on antibiotic use in farm animals and requires suppliers to comply with these guidelines. Darden does not operate animal husbandry or captive operations, making the humane certification of operations not applicable.

Planet-Friendly Business

Darden Restaurants achieved a waste diversion rate of 17% across its U.S.-owned and operated restaurants in fiscal year 2024.

All of its restaurants recycle used cooking oil, and 69% have solid waste recycling programs. The company's Harvest food donation program has contributed over 140 million pounds of food since 2003. Additionally, Darden is developing science-based targets for its direct operations (Scope 1 and 2) and broader value chain (Scope 3).

Respect for Cultures & Communities

Darden Restaurants has no reported cultural appropriation incidents.

The company does not have a specific cultural impact assessment protocol, nor are Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes applicable to its operations. There are no reported cultural site disruptions, and the concept of a social license to operate is not applicable to its business model.

Safe & Smart Tech

Darden Restaurants ensures compliance with data protection regulations, including GDPR and CCPA.

The company's privacy notice details data collection methods and usage, adhering to established privacy standards. Darden has implemented comprehensive cybersecurity and ethical AI practices, including an incident response plan, strategic investments in cybersecurity, and regular trainings and audits. AI is utilized for customer engagement and predictive maintenance.

Zero Waste & Sustainable Products

Darden Restaurants achieved an 18% waste diversion rate at its U.S.-owned and operated restaurants in fiscal year 2025.

The company implements numerous waste reduction initiatives, including its Harvest food donation program, which has diverted over 145 million pounds of surplus food from landfills since 2003 , with 5.9 million pounds donated in fiscal year 2025. All restaurants recycle used cooking oil , and 69% of restaurants have solid waste recycling programs. Other initiatives include improving forecasting to minimize food loss , piloting programs to convert food waste into bio-gas and animal feed , and reducing paper use by 33% at its Restaurant Support Center through double-sided printing. The company has not incurred any waste disposal violations in the past three years.