STOCK TITAN

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) CEO sells 39,134 shares, gets new awards

(Very High)
(Very Negative)
Form Type
4

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Darden Restaurants President and CEO Ricardo Cardenas reported a mix of equity grants, option exercises and share sales. He received 12,792 restricted stock units as an FY27 annual grant and 37,735 stock options with a $212.23 exercise price. He exercised 19,091 options at $124.24 per share into common stock and sold a total of 39,134 shares in four open‑market transactions.

Positive

  • None.

Negative

  • None.

Insights

Analyzing...

Insider Cardenas Ricardo
Role President and CEO
Sold 39,134 shs ($8.18M)
Approx. gross sale proceeds $8.18M
Approx. exercise cost $2.37M
Type Security Shares Price Value
Grant/Award Restricted Stock Units (FY27 Annual Grant) F7 12,792 $0.00 $0.00
Grant/Award Stock Option (Right to Buy) F8 37,735 $0.00 $0.00
Exercise Stock Option (Right to Buy) F6 19,091 $0.00 $0.00
Exercise Common Stock F1 19,091 $124.24 $2.37M
Sale Common Stock F2, F1 3,801 $209.5754 $797K
Sale Common Stock F3, F1 7,241 $209.4085 $1.52M
Sale Common Stock F4, F1 12,802 $208.795 $2.67M
Sale Common Stock F5, F1 15,290 $208.9985 $3.20M
Holdings After Transaction: Stock Option (Right to Buy) — 37,735 shares (Direct); Restricted Stock Units (FY27 Annual Grant) — 12,792 shares (Direct); Common Stock — 86,145.988 shares (Direct)
Footnotes (8)
  1. F1. Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
  2. F2. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.42 to $209.92. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
  3. F3. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.24 to $209.9. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
  4. F4. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.23 to $209.225. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
  5. F5. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.42 to $209.415. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
  6. F6. This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.
  7. F7. Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
  8. F8. This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2029.
Restricted stock units granted 12,792 units FY27 annual RSU grant to President and CEO Ricardo Cardenas
Stock options granted 37,735 options New options granted 2026-07-29 with $212.23 exercise price, expiring 2036-07-29
New option exercise price $212.23 per share Exercise price for 37,735 stock options granted to Ricardo Cardenas
Options exercised 19,091 options Options exercised into common stock on 2026-07-28
Option exercise price $124.24 per share Exercise price for 19,091 options converted into common stock
Shares sold 39,134 shares Total common shares sold in four open-market transactions on 2026-07-28
Restricted stock units financial
"Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis."
Restricted stock units are a type of company reward where employees are promised shares of stock, but they only fully own these shares after meeting certain conditions, like staying with the company for a set time. They matter because they can become valuable assets and are often used to motivate employees to help the company succeed.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan financial
"Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan"
An employee stock purchase plan is a company program that lets workers buy shares through small payroll deductions, often at a discount to the market price and after a set offering period. Think of it like a workplace savings plan that turns into ownership: it encourages employees to share in the company’s success and can create predictable buying or selling of stock that investors watch because it affects supply, demand and employee incentives.
dividend reinvestment feature financial
"and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan."
weighted average sale price financial
"The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price."
Exercise or conversion of derivative security financial
"transaction code description is "Exercise or conversion of derivative security""

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google
Add on Google
Learn about SEC filing dates

FAQ

What equity awards did Darden Restaurants (DRI) CEO Ricardo Cardenas receive in this Form 4?

Ricardo Cardenas received two new equity awards: 12,792 restricted stock units as his FY27 annual grant and 37,735 stock options with a $212.23 exercise price per share, both reported as directly held in his name.

How many Darden Restaurants (DRI) shares did CEO Ricardo Cardenas sell, and at what prices?

Cardenas sold 39,134 common shares in four transactions: 3,801, 7,241, 12,802 and 15,290 shares. Footnotes show weighted average sale prices near $209 per share, with individual trades ranging from $208.23 to $209.92.

What options did Ricardo Cardenas exercise in this Darden Restaurants (DRI) filing?

He exercised 19,091 stock options with a $124.24 exercise price per share, converting them into an equal number of common shares. The derivative transaction is coded as an exercise or conversion of a derivative security.

How do the restricted stock units in Darden Restaurants (DRI) CEO Ricardo Cardenas’s grant convert into common stock?

The FY27 restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one‑for‑one basis. A footnote specifies that each restricted stock unit will settle into one share of Darden Restaurants common stock upon conversion, increasing his direct equity holdings.

What is the vesting schedule and expiration for the new Darden Restaurants (DRI) stock options?

The newly granted options on 37,735 shares vest in two equal annual installments beginning July 29, 2029. According to the footnote, these options expire on July 29, 2036, if they are not exercised before that date.

Were Ricardo Cardenas’s Darden Restaurants (DRI) transactions reported as made under a Rule 10b5‑1 trading plan?

The Form’s Rule 10b5‑1 checkbox was not affirmed as a trading plan, and the footnotes describing these transactions do not reference any Rule 10b5‑1 or pre‑arranged trading plan arrangement.
SEC Form 4
FORM 4UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

Filed pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
or Section 30(h) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0287
Estimated average burden
hours per response:0.5
Check this box if no longer subject to Section 16. Form 4 or Form 5 obligations may continue. See Instruction 1(b).
Check this box to indicate that a transaction was made pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of equity securities of the issuer that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c). See Instruction 10.
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person*
Cardenas Ricardo

(Last)(First)(Middle)
1000 DARDEN CENTER DRIVE

(Street)
ORLANDO FLORIDA 32837

(City)(State)(Zip)

UNITED STATES

(Country)
2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol
DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC [ DRI ]
5. Relationship of Reporting Person(s) to Issuer
(Check all applicable)
XDirector10% Owner
XOfficer (give title below)Other (specify below)
President and CEO
2a. Foreign Trading Symbol
3. Date of Earliest Transaction (Month/Day/Year)
07/28/2026
6. Individual or Joint/Group Filing (Check Applicable Line)
XForm filed by One Reporting Person
Form filed by More than One Reporting Person
4. If Amendment, Date of Original Filed (Month/Day/Year)

Table I - Non-Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
1. Title of Security (Instr. 3) 2. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)2A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)3. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 4. Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed Of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 5. Amount of Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 3 and 4) 6. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 7. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeVAmount(A) or (D)Price
Common Stock07/28/2026M19,091A$124.24125,279.988(1)D
Common Stock07/28/2026S3,801D$209.5754(2)121,478.988(1)D
Common Stock07/28/2026S7,241D$209.4085(3)114,237.988(1)D
Common Stock07/28/2026S12,802D$208.795(4)101,435.988(1)D
Common Stock07/28/2026S15,290D$208.9985(5)86,145.988(1)D
Table II - Derivative Securities Acquired, Disposed of, or Beneficially Owned
(e.g., puts, calls, warrants, options, convertible securities)
1. Title of Derivative Security (Instr. 3) 2. Conversion or Exercise Price of Derivative Security 3. Transaction Date (Month/Day/Year)3A. Deemed Execution Date, if any (Month/Day/Year)4. Transaction Code (Instr. 8) 5. Number of Derivative Securities Acquired (A) or Disposed of (D) (Instr. 3, 4 and 5) 6. Date Exercisable and Expiration Date (Month/Day/Year)7. Title and Amount of Securities Underlying Derivative Security (Instr. 3 and 4) 8. Price of Derivative Security (Instr. 5) 9. Number of derivative Securities Beneficially Owned Following Reported Transaction(s) (Instr. 4) 10. Ownership Form: Direct (D) or Indirect (I) (Instr. 4) 11. Nature of Indirect Beneficial Ownership (Instr. 4)
CodeV(A)(D)Date ExercisableExpiration DateTitleAmount or Number of Shares
Stock Option (Right to Buy)$124.2407/28/2026M19,091 (6)07/24/2029Common Stock19,091$0.00000.0000D
Restricted Stock Units (FY27 Annual Grant)(7)07/29/2026A12,79207/29/202907/29/2029Common Stock12,792$0.000012,792D
Stock Option (Right to Buy)$212.2307/29/2026A37,735 (8)07/29/2036Common Stock37,735$0.000037,735D
Explanation of Responses:
1. Includes shares acquired pursuant to the Darden Restaurants, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan and dividend reinvestment feature of the Plan.
2. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.42 to $209.92. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
3. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $209.24 to $209.9. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
4. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.23 to $209.225. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
5. This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $208.42 to $209.415. The price reported above reflects the weighted average sale price. The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the Issuer or a security holder of the Issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.
6. This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 24, 2022.
7. Restricted stock units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.
8. This option vests in two equal annual installments beginning on July 29, 2029.
A. Noni Holmes-Kidd, Attorney-in-fact for Cardenas, Ricardo07/30/2026
** Signature of Reporting PersonDate
Reminder: Report on a separate line for each class of securities beneficially owned directly or indirectly.
* If the form is filed by more than one reporting person, see Instruction 4 (b)(v).
** Intentional misstatements or omissions of facts constitute Federal Criminal Violations See 18 U.S.C. 1001 and 15 U.S.C. 78ff(a).
Note: File three copies of this Form, one of which must be manually signed. If space is insufficient, see Instruction 6 for procedure.
Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB Number.
* Form 4: SEC 1474 (03-26)