Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Feb. 23, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Darden Restaurants, Inc. (we, our or the Company) owns and operates full-service dining restaurants in the United States and Canada under the trade names Olive Garden®, Red Lobster®, LongHorn Steakhouse®, The Capital Grille®, Yard House®, Bahama Breeze®, Seasons 52®, Eddie V's Prime Seafood® and Wildfish Seafood Grille®. We have prepared these consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter ended February 23, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending May 25, 2014. These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2013. The accounting policies used in preparing these consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and costs and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Red Lobster Separation On December 19, 2013, we announced a comprehensive plan to enhance shareholder value that will include separating the Red Lobster business. Although a final decision has not been made on the form of the separation, we expect to execute a tax-free spin-off of Red Lobster to our shareholders, but we may also consider a sale of the Red Lobster business. The completion of the spin-off will be subject to certain customary conditions, including final approval by our Board of Directors, confirmation of the tax-free nature of the transaction, and the effectiveness of a registration statement filed with the SEC. We expect the separation transaction to close in early fiscal 2015.

Basis of Presentation

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (we, our or the Company) owns and operates full-service dining restaurants in the United States and Canada under the trade names Olive Garden®, Red Lobster®, LongHorn Steakhouse®, The Capital Grille®, Yard House®, Bahama Breeze®, Seasons 52®, Eddie V's Prime Seafood® and Wildfish Seafood Grille®. We have prepared these consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the quarter ended February 23, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending May 25, 2014.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes to consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 26, 2013. The accounting policies used in preparing these consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in our Form 10-K.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and costs and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Red Lobster Separation

On December 19, 2013, we announced a comprehensive plan to enhance shareholder value that will include separating the Red Lobster business. Although a final decision has not been made on the form of the separation, we expect to execute a tax-free spin-off of Red Lobster to our shareholders, but we may also consider a sale of the Red Lobster business. The completion of the spin-off will be subject to certain customary conditions, including final approval by our Board of Directors, confirmation of the tax-free nature of the transaction, and the effectiveness of a registration statement filed with the SEC. We expect the separation transaction to close in early fiscal 2015.