Darden Launches New Corporate and Sustainability Websites

ORLANDO, Fla., June 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Darden Restaurants today announced the launch of its newly redesigned corporate website at www.darden.com as well as a new microsite dedicated to chronicling the company's sustainability efforts at www.generationcommitment.com.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050203/FLTH026LOGO )

The new and improved Darden site was designed to provide more comprehensive and easy to access information about the company and its brands. More extensive content was developed to help better communicate with and educate prospective employees, investors, media and the philanthropic community.

"Both of these new sites play important roles in communicating with key stakeholders," said Bob McAdam, senior vice president of Government & Community Affairs for Darden. "In order to strengthen Darden's brand identity and engage relevant audiences, it was important to build a more vibrant Darden website that tells our story in a compelling and differentiating way. Likewise, our new sustainability site allows our employees, guests, business partners and other interested parties to understand our approach to sustainability and monitor our progress."

In addition to more robust content, Darden's new website offers visitors:

• New, streamlined navigation features
• Video content
• Employee stories
• Information on Darden's commitments to the community

Darden created the new sustainability microsite to provide information on the company's

sustainability strategy, how it's implementing sustainable practices, and its progress along the way.

The new sustainability microsite features:

• Information on Darden's commitment to seafood sustainability and how the company is working to help ensure the health of global fisheries
• Key commitments, including the company's goal to reduce per-restaurant energy and water use by 15 percent by 2015
• Strategic partnerships with third-party organizations including the Sustainability Consortium and the New England Aquarium
• Video testimonials from Darden employees and partners

"Sustainability plays a big part in our overall business strategy as we strive to make a difference on issues ranging from seafood sustainability to energy efficiency, and from water use to how we treat our employees," said Ian Olson, director of Sustainability for Darden. "Our new microsite will enable us to provide the most up-to-date information about our sustainability efforts. It's also a great way to engage our 180,000 employees on sustainability issues, in particular our Green Teams, whose effort and input have been critical to the success of our sustainability strategy."

About Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant company, owns and operates 1,800 restaurants that generate more than $7 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, and employing approximately 180,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people. Our restaurant brands – Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52 – reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: General