EXHIBIT 31(a)
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Eugene I. Lee, Jr., certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report. |
/s/ Eugene I. Lee, Jr. |
Eugene I. Lee, Jr. |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
July 26, 2017 |