Form 4: Darden Restaurants Executive Receives Future Stock and Option Grants

Darden Restaurants' SVP General Counsel, Matthew R. Broad, was granted 1,963 restricted stock units and 5,756 stock options effective July 23, 2025, as part of his compensation.

Summary

• Matthew R. Broad, SVP General Counsel of Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI), reported changes in his beneficial ownership of company securities.
• As of July 23, 2025, Mr. Broad beneficially owns 14,395.585 shares of Common Stock, which includes shares acquired through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment.
• He was granted 1,963 Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of the FY26 Annual Grant, effective July 23, 2025. These RSUs convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis and are scheduled to vest on July 23, 2028.
• Mr. Broad also received a grant of 5,756 stock options with an exercise price of $208.51, effective July 23, 2025. These options will vest in two equal annual installments beginning on July 23, 2028, and expire on July 23, 2035.

Sentiment

Score: 6

Explanation: The filing reports a standard executive compensation grant, which is a neutral to slightly positive event as it aligns management incentives with shareholder interests, without indicating any immediate operational or financial changes.

Positives

• The grants of restricted stock units and stock options align the executive's interests with those of shareholders, as the value of these awards is tied to the company's future stock performance.
• The compensation package indicates continued commitment to retaining key management personnel.

Future Outlook

The filing details future vesting schedules for restricted stock units and stock options, indicating that these compensation components will become exercisable or convertible into common stock on specific future dates, aligning executive incentives with long-term company performance.

Industry Context

This filing represents a routine executive compensation event, common across publicly traded companies, where equity awards are granted to align management incentives with shareholder value creation. Such grants are a standard component of executive compensation packages in the restaurant and hospitality industry.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: The equity grants align the interests of the SVP General Counsel with shareholders, as the value of the awards is tied to the company's stock performance.
• Employees: This filing specifically relates to executive compensation and does not directly impact the broader employee base, though it reflects the company's overall compensation philosophy.

Next Steps

• Vesting of 1,963 Restricted Stock Units on July 23, 2028.
• First installment of 5,756 stock options vesting on July 23, 2028, with the second installment vesting one year later.

Key Dates

Keywords

Darden Restaurants, DRI, Executive Compensation, Stock Grant, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Options, Insider Transaction, Form 4