EXHIBIT 10(l)

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

              RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEE STOCK PLAN OF 2000

                   (AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF JULY 26, 2002)


1.       PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

          The purpose of the Darden Restaurants,  Inc. Restaurant Management and
          Employee  Stock  Plan  of  2000  (the  "Plan")  is  to  assist  Darden
          Restaurants,  Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates (i.e., entities in
          which Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. directly or indirectly owns an equity
          interest of 25% or more)  (collectively,  the "Company") in attracting
          and retaining able employees,  including but not limited to restaurant
          management  employees.  The Plan is designed to provide incentives and
          awards to employees who may be responsible for the management,  growth
          and sound development of the restaurants of the Company,  and to align
          the  interests  of  employees  with  the  interests  of the  Company's
          stockholders.  The Plan allows the Company to award  "Stock  Options",
          "Restricted Stock" or "Restricted Stock Units"  (hereinafter  defined)
          to its employees in lieu of salary  increases or other  consideration,
          compensation  or  benefits,  as an  incentive  award,  or as a  bonus,
          including  but not  limited  to a  "sign-on"  award  or bonus to a new
          employee at the time of his or her hiring.

2.       EFFECTIVE DATE, DURATION AND SUMMARY OF PLAN

         A.    Effective Date and Duration

               This Plan is effective as of January 1, 2000.  Awards may be made
               under the Plan until January 1, 2004.

         B.    Summary of Stock Option Provisions for Participants

               The stock  option  ("Stock  Option")  that may be  awarded  to an
               employee  under this Plan gives the  employee a right to purchase
               Darden Restaurants,  Inc. "Common Stock" (hereinafter defined) at
               a fixed  price at a future  date.  An  employee  will  receive an
               option  agreement in his or her name.  The option  agreement will
               contain  the term  and  other  conditions  of the  option  grant,
               including any  consideration the employee will forego or exchange
               as a condition of the grant.  In general,  each option  agreement
               will  state the  number of  shares  of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.
               Common Stock that the employee can purchase from the Company, the
               price at which  shares may be  purchased,  and the last date upon
               which a purchase  may be made.  An award of Stock  Options  under
               this Plan will not  result in any  taxable  income at the time of
               receipt of the award and the option agreement.

               The price at which the employee may buy Darden Restaurants,  Inc.
               shares will be equal to the market price of the shares on the New
               York Stock  Exchange as of the day of the Stock Option award.  If
               the price of Darden Restaurants, Inc. Common Stock has risen when
               the Stock Option becomes  exercisable,  the employee will be able
               to gain by exercising the Stock Option.  The gain would equal the
               difference between the exercise price of the Stock Option and the
               market price of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. shares on the date the
               employee  buys shares under the terms of the option  certificate.
               This  gain  would  be  taxable  to the  employee  at the  time of
               exercise,  unless  deferred in accordance  with the provisions of
               the Stock Option agreement.

               The employee will never be obligated to buy shares of the Company
               if he or she  does  not  wish to do so.  Once  the  Stock  Option
               becomes  exercisable,  the employee can continue to hold it as an
               employee  for its  remaining  term  before  making  the  decision
               whether  or not to buy shares of the  Company.  After the term of
               the Stock Option expires,  the rights under the Stock Option will
               lapse and it cannot be used by the employee.

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               In general,  the employee  cannot sell or assign the Stock Option
               to any other  person.  The  specific  provisions  covering  Stock
               Option  transferability  are  covered  in  Section  10 and  other
               portions of the Plan.

3.       ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

          The Plan will be  administered  by the  Compensation  Committee of the
          Company (the  "Committee").  The Committee will be comprised solely of
          non-employee,  independent  members of the Board of  Directors  of the
          Company (the  "Board")  appointed  in  accordance  with the  Company's
          Articles  of  Incorporation  and  By-laws.   Subject  to  the  express
          provisions of the Plan and  applicable  law, the  Committee  will have
          authority  to: (i) adopt rules and  regulations  for  carrying out the
          purpose  of the Plan;  (ii)  select  the  employees  to whom  "Awards"
          (hereinafter  defined)  will be made;  (iii)  determine  the number of
          shares to be awarded and the other terms and  conditions  of Awards in
          accordance  with the provisions of the Plan;  (iv) amend the terms and
          conditions of any Award or agreement relating to any Award,  provided,
          however,  that, except as otherwise  provided in Section 4 hereof, the
          Committee  shall not reprice,  adjust or amend the  exercise  price of
          Stock  Options  previously  awarded  to any  Participant  (hereinafter
          defined),  whether  through  amendment,  cancellation  and replacement
          grant, or any other means; (v) determine  whether,  to what extent and
          under what circumstances  cash, Common Stock and other amounts payable
          with  respect  to an Award  under the Plan  shall be  deferred  either
          automatically  or at the  election  of the  holder of the Award or the
          Committee; and (v) interpret, construe and implement the provisions of
          the Plan. In addition, if at any time Rule 16b-3 or any successor rule
          ("Rule 16b-3") under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
          (the "1934 Act"),  so permits,  the  Committee may delegate its duties
          under the Plan, in whole or in part to the Chief Executive Officer and
          to other senior officers of the Company if so doing will not adversely
          affect the Plan's  exemption  from  Section 16 of the 1934 Act (or any
          successor  provisions)  provided  by Rule 16b-3.  Notwithstanding  the
          foregoing,  only the Committee may select and make other  decisions as
          to Awards to employees  who are  executives  of the Company,  provided
          that officers and  directors who are subject to reporting  obligations
          under  Section 16 of the 1934 Act are not  eligible to receive  Awards
          under this Plan. The Committee (or its permitted delegate) may correct
          any defect or supply any omission or reconcile  any  inconsistency  in
          any  agreement  relating to any Award under the Plan in the manner and
          to the extent it deems  necessary.  Decisions of the Committee (or its
          permitted  delegate)  shall be final,  conclusive and binding upon all
          parties, including the Company, stockholders and employees.

4.       COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

          Only the shares of common  stock of the  Company  (without  par value)
          ("Common Stock") held in the Company's  treasury may be transferred to
          the employee upon  exercise of a Stock  Option,  awarded as Restricted
          Stock,  or transferred  upon  expiration of the restricted  period for
          Restricted Stock Units.

          The Committee,  in its discretion,  may require, as a condition to the
          grant of Stock  Options,  Restricted  Stock or Restricted  Stock Units
          (collectively,  "Awards"),  the  deposit of Common  Stock owned by the
          employee  receiving  such grant,  and, if the required  deposit is not
          made  or  maintained   during  the  required  holding  period  or  the
          applicable restricted period, the forfeiture of such Awards.  Required
          deposits  of Common  Stock may not be sold,  pledged,  transferred  or
          assigned  during the applicable  holding period or restricted  period.
          The  Committee  may also  determine  whether  any shares  issued  upon
          exercise of a Stock Option will be restricted in any manner.

          Subject to the  following  provisions  of this  Section 4, the maximum
          aggregate  number of treasury shares of Common Stock  authorized under
          the Plan and for which  Awards  may be granted  is five  million  four
          hundred  thousand  (5,400,000).   Upon  the  expiration,   forfeiture,
          termination or cancellation,  in whole or in part, of Restricted Stock
          Units  or  unexercised  Stock  Options,  or the  forfeiture  or  other
          reacquisition by the Company of shares of Restricted Stock, the shares
          of  Common  Stock  held  in  the  Company's  treasury  and  previously
          allocated to such Stock Options,  Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock
          Units will again be available for Awards under the Plan. To the extent
          that any shares of Common Stock  covered by an Award are not delivered
          to a Participant  (as hereafter  defined) or beneficiary  because such
          shares are used to satisfy the applicable tax withholding  obligation,
          such shares shall not be deemed to have been delivered for purposes of
          determining the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available for
          delivery  under

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          the Plan. If the exercise  price of any Stock Option granted under the
          Plan (and/or the applicable  tax  withholding  obligation  relating to
          such exercise) is satisfied by tendering shares of Common Stock to the
          Company,  only the number of shares of Common  Stock issued net of the
          shares of Common Stock tendered shall be deemed delivered for purposes
          of determining  the maximum number of shares of Common Stock available
          for delivery  under the Plan. In addition,  any shares of Common Stock
          that are  purchased  by the  Company in the open  market or in private
          transactions  having an aggregate  purchase  price no greater than the
          amount of cash  proceeds  received by the Company from the exercise of
          Stock  Options under the Plan will again be available for Awards under
          the Plan.

          The number of shares subject to the Plan, the  outstanding  Awards and
          the  exercise  price per share of  outstanding  Stock  Options  may be
          appropriately adjusted by the Committee in the event that:

          (i)  the number of outstanding  shares of Common Stock will be changed
               by   reason   of   split-ups,    spin-offs,    combinations    or
               reclassifications of shares;

          (ii) any stock  dividends  are  distributed  to the  holders of Common
               Stock;

          (iii)the Common Stock is converted  into or exchanged for other shares
               as a result of a merger  or  consolidation  (including  a sale of
               assets) or other  recapitalization,  or similar events occur that
               affect the value of the Common Stock; or

          (iv) the Committee  determines  such  adjustments  are  appropriate to
               prevent  a  material  dilution  or  material  enlargement  of the
               benefits or  potential  benefits  intended  to be made  available
               under the Plan.

5.       ELIGIBLE PERSONS

          Only  persons who are  employees  of the Company  shall be eligible to
          receive Awards under the Plan ("Participants").  No Award will be made
          to any member of the Committee, any other non-employee director of the
          Company,   or  any  officer  or  director  subject  to  the  reporting
          obligations of Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

6.       PURCHASE PRICE OF STOCK OPTION SHARES

          The  purchase  price  for  each  share  of  Common  Stock  that may be
          purchased under a Stock Option will not be less than 100% of the "Fair
          Market Value"  (hereinafter  defined) of the shares of Common Stock on
          the date of grant.  "Fair Market Value",  as used in the Plan,  equals
          the mean of the high and low  prices  of the  Common  Stock on the New
          York Stock Exchange on the applicable date.

7.       STOCK OPTION TERM AND TYPE

          The term of any Stock  Option  may not  exceed ten (10) years from the
          date of grant and will  expire as of the close of business on the last
          day of the  designated  term,  unless  terminated  earlier  under  the
          provisions  of the Plan.  All Stock  Option  grants under the Plan are
          non-qualified  stock  options  governed by Section 83 of the  Internal
          Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

8.       EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTIONS

          A.   Except as provided in Sections 12 and 13 ("Change of Control" and
               "Termination of Employment"),  each Stock Option may be exercised
               no sooner from the date of grant than in increments of one-fourth
               after one year,  one-fourth  after two  years,  one-fourth  after
               three  years and  one-fourth  after  four  years,  subject to the
               Participant's  continued  employment  with the  Company and other
               terms and conditions prescribed by the Committee. Notwithstanding
               the  foregoing,  the  Committee  (or its  delegate) may specify a
               longer period before a Stock Option may be exercised.

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          B.   A  Participant  exercising a Stock Option must notify the Company
               prior to 5:00 P.M. EST/EDT on the day of exercise,  which must be
               a business day at the offices of the Company's Restaurant Support
               Center. The notification of such exercise must include the number
               of  shares  to  be  purchased.  At  the  time  of  purchase,  the
               Participant  must  tender the full  purchase  price of the shares
               purchased. Until such payment has been made and a certificate (or
               certificates)  for the shares  purchased  has been  issued in the
               Participant's  name, the Participant  will possess no stockholder
               rights with respect to such shares. Payment of the purchase price
               will be made to the Company as follows, subject to any applicable
               rules or regulations adopted by the Committee:

               (i)  in  cash  (including  check,  draft,  money  order  or  wire
                    transfer payable to the order of the Company); or

               (ii) through the  delivery of shares of Common Stock owned by the
                    Participant; or

               (iii)to the extent  permitted  by law and  pursuant  to any rules
                    the  Committee  may  adopt,  by  directing  the  Company  to
                    withhold  from any shares of Common Stock to be  transferred
                    to the Participant, all or a portion of such shares; or

               (iv) by a combination of (i), (ii) or (iii) above.

               For  purposes  of  determining  the  amount  of a  payment  under
               subsections  (ii) or (iii),  above,  the Common Stock will have a
               value equal to its Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

          C.   The Committee may permit a Participant  to elect to defer receipt
               of all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon
               exercise of a Stock Option,  all on such terms and  conditions as
               the Committee shall determine (including through the terms of the
               FlexComp Plan).

9.      RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

          With respect to Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units,
          the Committee will:

          (i)  select  Participants  to whom Awards will be made,  provided that
               Restricted  Stock Units may only be awarded to Company  employees
               who are employed outside the United States;

          (ii) determine the number of shares of Restricted  Stock or the number
               of Restricted Stock Units to be awarded;

          (iii)determine the length of the restricted  period,  which may not be
               less  than  one  year,  provided,  however,  that  effective  for
               Restricted Stock granted on or after June 1, 2000, the restricted
               period  may be  accelerated  to  less  than  one  year  based  on
               performance goals established by the Committee;

          (iv) determine  the  consideration,  if any,  to be  exchanged  by the
               Participant  as a  condition  to a grant of  Restricted  Stock or
               Restricted Stock Units; and

          (v)  determine any restrictions in addition to those set forth in this
               Section 9.

          Any shares of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced
          in such manner as the Committee deems appropriate,  including, without
          limitation,  by  book-entry  registration  or  by  issuance  of  stock
          certificates. Such shares may be held in escrow.

          Subject  to the  restrictions  set  forth  in  this  Section  9,  each
          Participant  who receives  Restricted  Stock will have all rights as a
          stockholder  with respect to such shares,  including the right to vote
          the shares and receive dividends and other distributions.

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          Each Participant who receives  Restricted Stock Units will be eligible
          to receive, at the expiration of the applicable restricted period, one
          share of Common  Stock for each  Restricted  Stock Unit  awarded.  The
          Company will transfer the amount of Common Stock from treasury  shares
          and  register  a  certificate  in the name of each  such  Participant.
          Participants who receive Restricted Stock Units will have no rights as
          stockholders  with respect to such  Restricted  Stock Units until such
          time as share  certificates  for Common Stock are  transferred  to the
          Participants.  However,  quarterly  during the  applicable  restricted
          period for all  Restricted  Stock Units awarded  under this Plan,  the
          Company will pay to each such  Participant  an amount equal to the sum
          of all dividends and other  distributions  paid by the Company  during
          the prior quarter on an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock.

          Subject  to the  provisions  of Section  12, for awards of  Restricted
          Stock or  Restricted  Stock Units that have a deposit  requirement,  a
          Participant  will  be  eligible  to  vest  only  in  those  shares  of
          Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units for which  personally-owned
          shares  are  on  deposit   with  the   Company  as  of  the  date  the
          Participant's employment with the Company terminates.

          The Committee may permit a Participant to elect to transfer  shares of
          Restricted   Stock  to  the  Company  in   exchange   for  a  deferred
          compensation right or Restricted Stock Units or elect to defer receipt
          of  all  or a  portion  of the  shares  of  Common  Stock  subject  to
          Restricted  Stock  Units,  all on such  terms  and  conditions  as the
          Committee shall determine (including through the terms of the FlexComp
          Plan).

          The total number of shares of Common Stock issued  through the vesting
          of Awards of Restricted  Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted under
          the Plan will not  exceed  five  percent  (5%) of the total  number of
          shares  authorized for this Plan. No single  Participant  will receive
          Awards of Restricted  Stock or  Restricted  Stock Units under the Plan
          if, upon vesting, would exceed two percent (2%) of the total number of
          shares authorized for the Plan.

10.      NON-TRANSFERABILITY

          Except as  otherwise  provided  in Section 9, no shares of  Restricted
          Stock  and  no  Restricted   Stock  Units  may  be  sold,   exchanged,
          transferred,  pledged,  or assigned  during the restricted  period.  A
          Participant  may not sell,  exchange,  transfer,  pledge or assign any
          Stock Options awarded under this Plan except (i) by the  Participant's
          last will and testament  through the executor or legal  representative
          of the deceased Participant's estate or (ii) by the applicable laws of
          descent and  distribution,  or (iii) by gift to a "family member",  as
          defined by the  Committee,  from a  Participant  who is subject to the
          reporting  requirements  of Section 16 of the 1934 Act and is eligible
          for  retirement  (age 55 with 10 years of  service) at the time of the
          gift.  Stock Options  granted under this Plan may be exercised  during
          the  Participant's  lifetime  only  by the  Participant  or his or her
          guardian or legal representative.  After death, such Stock Options may
          be exercised in accordance  with Section 13B.  Other than as set forth
          in this Plan, no Award under the Plan will be subject to anticipation,
          alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge,
          and any attempt to the contrary will be void.

11.      WITHHOLDING TAXES

          As conditions  precedent to the  obligations of the Company to deliver
          shares of Common  Stock upon the  exercise of a Stock  Option,  and to
          transfer  shares of  unrestricted  Common Stock from the treasury upon
          the  vesting  of  Restricted  Stock or  Restricted  Stock  Units,  the
          Participant  must pay to the  Company  cash in an amount  equal to all
          required federal, state, local and foreign withholding taxes.

          Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  to the extent  permitted  by law and
          pursuant  to any rules the  Committee  may adopt,  a  Participant  may
          authorize  and direct the Company to satisfy any such tax  withholding
          requirement by withholding the number of shares  sufficient to satisfy
          the withholding  obligation from the Common Stock to be transferred to
          the Participant.


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12.      CHANGE OF CONTROL

          Each  outstanding  Stock  Option  will  become  immediately  and fully
          exercisable  for a period of six (6) months  following the date of any
          of the following occurrences (each called a "Change of Control"):

          (i)  if any person  (including a group as defined in Section  13(d)(3)
               of the 1934 Act) becomes, directly or indirectly,  the beneficial
               owner  of  twenty  percent  (20%)  or more of the  shares  of the
               Company entitled to vote for the election of directors;

          (ii) as a result  of or in  connection  with any  cash  tender  offer,
               exchange  offer,  merger or other business  combination,  sale of
               assets or contested  election,  or  combination of the foregoing,
               the persons who were  directors of the Company just prior to such
               event cease to  constitute a majority of the  Company's  Board of
               Directors; or

          (iii)the  stockholders of the Company  approve an agreement  providing
               for a  transaction  in  which  the  Company  will  cease to be an
               independent   publicly-owned  corporation  or  a  sale  or  other
               disposition  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the
               Company occurs.

          After such six-month period, the normal option exercise  provisions of
          the Plan will govern. If a Participant is terminated as an employee of
          the Company within two (2) years after any of the events  specified in
          (i), (ii) or (iii),  his or her outstanding  Stock Options on the date
          of termination  will become  immediately  exercisable  for a period of
          three (3) months.

          For Stock  Option  grants that  require the deposit of  employee-owned
          Common  Stock  as  a  condition  to  obtaining  rights  and  that  are
          outstanding  as of the date of any such  Change  of  Control,  (a) the
          deposit  requirement  will  terminate  on the  date of the  Change  of
          Control  and  deposited  stock  will  be  promptly   returned  to  the
          Participant,  and (b) any  restrictions  on the sale of shares  issued
          upon the exercise of any such Stock Option will lapse.

          In the event of a Change of Control,  a  Participant  will vest in all
          shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units effective on the
          date of the Change of  Control,  and any  matching  deposits of Common
          Stock will be promptly returned to the Participant.

13.      TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

          A.   Termination of Employment

               If the Participant's  employment with the Company  terminates for
               any  reason  other  than as  specified  in this  Section  13, the
               Participant's Stock Options will terminate three (3) months after
               such  termination  and all  shares  of  Restricted  Stock and all
               Restricted  Stock  Units that are subject to  restriction  on the
               termination  date will be  forfeited  by the  Participant  to the
               Company. In the event a Participant's employment with the Company
               is terminated for the  convenience of the Company,  as determined
               by the Committee, the Committee (or its delegate), in its (or its
               delegate's) sole  discretion,  may vest the Participant in all or
               any portion of  outstanding  Stock  Options  (which  shall become
               exercisable)  and/or  shares of  Restricted  Stock or  Restricted
               Stock Units awarded to such Participant, effective as of the date
               of such  termination  or according to any other schedule that the
               Committee (or its delegate) deems appropriate.

               In addition, and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
               Section  13A,  effective  for Stock  Options  granted on or after
               March 21, 2001, if a Participant's employment with the Company is
               terminated  for the  convenience  of the  Company and for reasons
               other  than  cause  (as  determined  by the  Committee),  and the
               Participant's  combined age and years of service with the Company
               equal  at  least  70 at the  time of such  termination,  then the
               Participant's  Stock  Options  that would have vested  within two
               years  from  the  date  of  termination  shall  vest  and  become
               immediately

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               exercisable,   and  shall  expire  on  the  earlier  of  (i)  the
               expiration  date  of  such  Stock  Options,  or  (ii)  two  years
               following the termination of employment.

          B.   Death

               If a Participant  dies while  employed by the Company,  any Stock
               Option previously granted under this Plan may be exercised by the
               following persons to the full extent that such Stock Option could
               have  been  exercised  by the  Participant  immediately  prior to
               death:  (i) by the person  (which  may  include  any  individual,
               corporation, partnership, association or trust) designated in the
               Participant's  last will and testament or, (ii) in the absence of
               such  designation,  by  the  executor  or  administrator  of  the
               Participant's  estate,  or (iii) by the  person to whom the Stock
               Option has been  transferred to by such executor or administrator
               pursuant  to Section  10, or (iv) by the donee of a Stock  Option
               made  pursuant  to Section  10 (iii).  Outstanding  Stock  Option
               grants that are not otherwise exercisable as of the date of death
               will vest and become  exercisable in a pro-rata amount,  based on
               the ratio that the number of full months of employment  completed
               during the Stock Option's vesting period,  from the date of grant
               to the date of death,  bears to the number of full  months in the
               Stock  Option's  vesting  period.

               If a Participant  dies while employed by the Company,  his or her
               Stock Option grants  conditioned  on a deposit of  employee-owned
               Common Stock may be exercised as provided in the first  paragraph
               of this Section 13B, subject to the following special conditions:

               (i)  any  restrictions  on the  sale of  shares  issued  upon the
                    exercise of any such Stock Option will cease; and

               (ii) any employee-owned Common Stock deposited by the Participant
                    as a condition  to the Stock  Option  grant will be promptly
                    returned to the person  (which may  include any  individual,
                    corporation,  partnership,  association or trust) designated
                    in the  Participant's  last  will and  testament  or, in the
                    absence of such designation,  to the  Participant's  estate,
                    and all  requirements  regarding  deposit by the Participant
                    will terminate.

          A Participant  who dies during any applicable  restricted  period will
          vest in a  proportionate  number  of  shares  of  Restricted  Stock or
          Restricted  Stock  Units,  effective  as of the  date  of  death.  The
          proportionate  vesting  will be based on the ratio  that the number of
          full months of employment completed during the restricted period prior
          to the  date of  death  bears  to the  number  of full  months  in the
          applicable restricted period.

          C.   Retirement

               The Committee will determine, at the time of grant, the treatment
               of a Stock Option upon the retirement of the Participant.  Unless
               other terms are specified in the original Stock Option grant, and
               except for Stock  Options  granted on or after March 21,  2001, a
               Participant who retires from the Company at or after age 55, with
               10 years of service  with the  Company,  may  exercise  the Stock
               Option according to its original terms and conditions.  For Stock
               Option grants conditioned on the deposit of employee-owned Common
               Stock,  any  restrictions  on the sale of shares  issued upon the
               exercise  of any  such  Stock  Option  will  lapse on the date of
               retirement of a  Participant  at or after age 55 with 10 years of
               service with the Company.  Effective for Stock Options granted on
               or after March 21,  2001,  if a  Participant  retires on or after
               reaching age 55 with 10 years of service  with the Company,  then
               upon such  retirement,  such Stock  Options  shall fully vest and
               become  immediately  exercisable  and retain the same  Expiration
               Date as determined at the time of grant.

               A  Participant  shall be fully vested in all shares of Restricted
               Stock or Restricted Stock Units upon attainment of age 65 (unless
               any such award specifically provides otherwise).

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               Unless the applicable Award provides otherwise, a Participant who
               retires  at or after  age 55 with 10 years  of  service  with the
               Company,  but prior to age 65, during any  applicable  restricted
               period  may  elect  either  of  the  following  alternatives  for
               Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units:

               (a)  leave employee-owned  shares on deposit with the Company and
                    vest in all shares of Restricted  Stock or Restricted  Stock
                    Units,   effective  as  of  the  earlier  of  the  date  the
                    Participant   attains  age  65  or  the  expiration  of  the
                    applicable restricted period; or

               (b)  withdraw  employee-owned  shares and vest in a proportionate
                    number of shares of  Restricted  Stock or  Restricted  Stock
                    Units as of the date the  shares on deposit  are  withdrawn.
                    The  proportionate  vesting  will be based on the ratio that
                    the number of full months of employment completed during the
                    restricted  period prior to the date of retirement  bears to
                    the  number  of full  months  in the  applicable  restricted
                    period.

          D.   Spin-offs

               If termination  of employment is due to the cessation,  transfer,
               or spin-off of a complete  line of business of the  Company,  the
               Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine the treatment of
               all outstanding Awards under the Plan.

          E.   Non-Competition

               Effective  for Stock  Options  granted on or after June 21, 1999,
               recipients  of such Stock  Options shall not, for a period of two
               years following  termination of their employment with the Company
               for any reason  whatsoever  (including  retirement),  directly or
               indirectly, (i) own, manage or operate, be employed by, or render
               consulting,  advisory  or  other  services  to,  any  enterprise,
               corporation  or  business  that owns or  operates  casual  dining
               restaurants,   anywhere  in  the  United   States  or  Canada  (a
               "Competitor"),  or (ii)  solicit  or induce  any person who is an
               employee  of the Company to own,  manage or operate,  be employed
               by,  or  render  consulting,  advisory  or other  services  to, a
               Competitor. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in
               paragraphs  A through D of this  Section 13, upon  violation by a
               Participant  of the  non-compete  provisions of this paragraph E,
               all of such  Participant's  outstanding Stock Options will expire
               on the earlier of (i) the  expiration  date of the Stock Options,
               or (ii) three  months  following  the date of  employment  with a
               Competitor or other prohibited competitive action.

14.      AMENDMENTS OF THE PLAN

          The Plan may be  terminated,  modified,  or  amended  by the  Board of
          Directors  of  the  Company  or,  subject  to the  limitations  of its
          delegated authority,  by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may
          from time to time  prescribe,  amend and rescind rules and regulations
          relating to the Plan.  Subject to approval of the Board of  Directors,
          the  Committee  may at any time  terminate or suspend the operation of
          the Plan,  provided that the Committee may take no action  without the
          approval of the Board of Directors of the Company that would:

          (i) materially  increase the number of shares that may be issued under
          the Plan;

          (ii) materially  increase the benefits accruing to Participants  under
          the Plan; or

          (iii)  materially  modify  the  requirements  as  to  eligibility  for
          participating in the Plan.

          The Board of  Directors  will have  authority  to cause the Company to
          take any  action  related to the Plan that may be  required  to comply
          with the  provisions of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  the
          1934 Act, and the rules and  regulations  prescribed by the Securities
          and Exchange Commission. Any such action will be at the expense of the
          Company.

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          Except as provided for in the preceding, no termination, modification,
          suspension,  or amendment of the Plan shall alter or impair the rights
          of any  Participant  pursuant to a prior Award  without the consent of
          the Participant. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of
          Participants under the Plan.

15.      FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS; GOVERNING LAW

          If not  inconsistent  with the intent of the Plan,  the  Committee may
          adopt, amend, and terminate such arrangements as it may deem necessary
          or desirable to provide tax  advantages  or other  benefits  under the
          laws of any foreign jurisdiction to Participants subject to such laws.
          Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the provisions of this Plan are to be
          construed under, and governed by, the laws of the State of Florida.

16.      NOTICE

          All notices to the Company  regarding  the Plan must be in writing and
          will be effective when actually received by the Company.  Notices must
          be sent to:

                  Darden Restaurants, Inc.
                  5900 Lake Ellenor Dr.
                  Orlando, FL 32809
                  Attn:  General Counsel

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