Form 4: Darden CFO Gifts Shares for Charitable Contribution

Darden Restaurants' CFO, Rajesh Vennam, reported a charitable gift of 500 common shares, reducing his direct beneficial ownership.

Summary

• Rajesh Vennam, SVP and CFO of Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI), reported a transaction on December 29, 2025.
• The transaction involved a bona fide gift of 500 shares of Darden Restaurants, Inc. common stock for charitable contributions.
• No consideration was received for the transfer of these shares.
• Following this transaction, Rajesh Vennam beneficially owns 12,600.303 shares of Darden Restaurants, Inc. common stock.
• The reported beneficial ownership includes shares acquired through the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and its dividend reinvestment feature.
• A Power of Attorney was executed on December 16, 2025, authorizing several individuals to execute SEC Forms 3, 4, 5, and 144 on behalf of Rajesh Vennam.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The sentiment is neutral to slightly positive. While it's a reduction in insider holdings, it's a small amount and for a charitable purpose, which is generally viewed favorably.

Positives

• The transaction represents a charitable contribution, which can be viewed positively from a corporate social responsibility perspective.

Negatives

• A reduction of 500 shares in direct beneficial ownership by a key executive, though minor, slightly decreases insider alignment.

Future Outlook

This filing does not contain any forward-looking statements or guidance regarding the company's future performance or outlook.

Management Comments

• The transaction represents a bona fide gift of 500 shares of Darden Restaurants, Inc. common stock for charitable contributions, with no consideration received.

Industry Context

Insider transactions, including gifts of shares, are routine disclosures in the public markets. This specific transaction reflects a personal decision by an executive and is not indicative of broader industry trends or competitive positioning.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: A minor reduction in direct insider ownership, unlikely to have a material impact.
• Charitable Organizations: The recipient charity benefits from the stock donation.

Key Dates

Keywords

Darden Restaurants, DRI, Rajesh Vennam, CFO, Insider Transaction, Form 4, Stock Gift, Charitable Contribution, Beneficial Ownership