Darden Restaurants Earns National Recognition for Diversity

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Sep 07, 2010, 09:00 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants has been recognized by three national publications for its commitment to diversity in its business practices and among its family of restaurants: Red Lobster, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze and Seasons 52.

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Darden has been honored with the following recognitions:

Black Enterprise Magazine included Darden among its "40 Best Companies for Diversity," recognizing the company's commitment to inclusion as part of its business strategy. This marks the second consecutive year and fourth time Darden has appeared on this list.
Hispanic Business Magazine also listed Darden as part of its "Diversity Elite 60" for its commitment to diversity in all areas of its corporate structure. Darden has been included on this list three times.
LATINA Style Magazine ranked Darden among the 50 best companies in its "LATINA Style 50 Report," which recognizes the best companies for Latinas to work for in the U.S. This is the fourth consecutive year Darden has been named to this list.

"At Darden, we consider diversity and inclusion business imperatives that are critical to our success and future growth," said Clarence Otis, CEO of Darden Restaurants. "Every level of our organization is strengthened by a diversity of perspective, attitude and ideas. We're committed to enriching our business and culture by understanding and embracing differences to realize the full benefits of diversity."

Darden's long history of diversity and inclusion dates back to 1938, when company founder Bill Darden welcomed anyone as a guest in his first restaurant during an era of racial segregation and discrimination. Today, diversity remains at the core of Darden's culture. The company's diversity initiatives reflect its guiding principles to attract and retain a workforce that mirrors its diverse customer base, provide opportunities for diverse suppliers, and contribute to the well-being of the communities it serves.

About Darden Restaurants:

Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI) headquartered in Orlando, Fla., is the world's largest company-owned and operated full-service restaurant company with more than $7 billion in annual sales and approximately 180,000 employees. 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.

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SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: General