Darden Restaurants 401(k) Plan
Orlando, Florida
Darden Restaurants 401K plan details: employer match info, participant login access, withdrawal options, and full plan review. 2026 data with contacts,...
Plan Analysis
Darden Restaurants, in the Food Services & Restaurants sector and headquartered in Florida, manages a 401(k) program with $1.6B in total plan assets across 197,946 active participants, established 51 years ago. The plan saw strong asset growth of 15.1% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the typical 401(k) plan. The average balance of $8K per participant may reflect a younger workforce or higher employee turnover. The employer contributed an average of $222 per active participant. Participants contributed an average of $458 each through employee deferrals. Outstanding participant loans of $32.4M represent 2.0% of plan assets. Distributions totaled $147.5M (9% of assets), reflecting normal retirement and separation activity.
How Darden Restaurants Compares
Comparison against 284 employer 401(k) plans in our database
| Metric | Darden Restaurants | Database Median | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. Balance per Participant | $8K | $140K | ▼ 94% below median |
| Employer Contribution per Participant | $222 | $3K | ▼ 94% below median |
| YoY Asset Growth | 15.1% | 12.9% | ▬ Near median |
| Total Assets vs. Food Services & Restaurants Sector | $1.6B | $989.8M | ▲ 60% above sector median |
Contact Information
Filing Information
EIN: 59-3305930
Plan Effective Date: 1973-06-01
Source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
Darden Restaurants Stock (DRI)
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2026 Contribution Limits for Darden Restaurants 401(k)
| Category | Limit | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Employee Deferral | $24,500 | Standard elective deferral limit for all participants |
| Catch-Up (Age 50+) | +$8,000 | Additional contributions for participants age 50 and over (total: $32,500) |
| Super Catch-Up (Age 60-63) | +$11,250 | SECURE 2.0 enhanced catch-up for ages 60-63 (total: $35,750) |
| Total Annual Additions (415 Limit) | $72,000 | Maximum combined employee + employer contributions |
| Compensation Cap | $350,000 | Maximum compensation considered for contributions |
| Darden Restaurants Avg. Employee Deferral | $458 | 2% of the $24,500 limit (based on latest Form 5500 filing) |
| Darden Restaurants Avg. Employer Contribution | $222 | Employer contributes $44.0M total across 197,946 participants |
Darden Restaurants 401(k) Plan Details
Data from DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings)
| Plan Name | Active Participants | Total Assets | Employer Contributions | Participant Contributions | 401(k) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN | 197,946 | $1.6B | $44.0M | $90.7M | Yes |
Plan Type Details
Primary Plan: DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN
Plan Types: DC (401(k)); DC (Money Purchase); DC (Target Benefit); DC (Other); Offset; DC (SIMPLE 401(k)); IRA (SIMPLE)
Funded By: Trust Insurance
Financial Summary
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets (Beginning of Year) | $1,376,802,027 |
| Total Assets (End of Year) | $1,585,175,658 |
| Employer Contributions | $44,015,238 |
| Participant Contributions | $90,674,837 |
| Total Distributions | $147,459,723 |
| Total Income (Gains/Losses) | $341,853,146 |
| Total Expenses | $149,669,956 |
| Outstanding Participant Loans | $32,412,746 |
Participant Breakdown
Plan Review & Rating
Based on 300 plan data ratings and analysis
Ratings are based on publicly available plan data, participant feedback, and industry benchmarks. Individual experience may vary. This is not financial advice. Data sourced from DOL Form 5500 filings.
People Also Ask About Darden Restaurants 401(k)
The Darden Restaurants 401(k) match competitiveness depends on the formula and vesting schedule. With $222 in employer contributions per active participant (a 49% employer-to-employee ratio), Darden Restaurants's match appears competitive with industry norms. Compare it with industry averages where the typical employer match is between 3-6% of salary. Review the specific match percentage and vesting timeline with your HR department.
Vesting schedules determine when employer match contributions fully belong to you. Common schedules include immediate vesting, 3-year cliff vesting, or 6-year graded vesting. At Darden Restaurants, with $44.0M in annual employer contributions across the plan, understanding your vesting timeline is critical before considering a job change. Contact Darden Restaurants HR for the exact vesting schedule.
Withdrawals from your Darden Restaurants 401(k) are generally available after age 59½, upon separation from service, disability, or financial hardship. The plan processed $147.5M in distributions during the last filing year. Early withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% penalty plus income taxes. The Rule of 55 allows penalty-free withdrawals if you leave Darden Restaurants at age 55 or older.
Yes, you can roll over your Darden Restaurants 401(k) to a Traditional IRA (for pre-tax funds) or Roth IRA (for Roth 401(k) funds). With an average balance of $8K per participant, a direct rollover avoids the mandatory 20% withholding that applies to indirect rollovers. Contact your plan administrator or the receiving IRA custodian to initiate the transfer.
Many Fortune 500 companies, including Darden Restaurants, have auto-enrollment features. With 197,946 active participants and $90.7M in annual employee deferrals, the plan demonstrates strong participation. Auto-enrollment typically starts at 3-6% of salary with annual escalation. You can opt out or change your contribution rate at any time through the plan provider portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Darden Restaurants offers an employer match through their 401(k) plan. The latest filing shows $44.0M in employer contributions versus $90.7M in employee deferrals (a 49% ratio), consistent with a competitive match program. The exact match formula may vary by plan and employment status. Contact Darden Restaurants HR or your plan administrator for the specific match formula applicable to your situation.
You can access your Darden Restaurants 401(k) account through the plan provider's participant portal. The plan serves 197,946 active participants. If you're a current or former employee, use the login link above or contact the plan administrator at the phone number listed on this page. First-time users will need to register using their Social Security number and date of birth.
For 2026, Darden Restaurants 401(k) participants can contribute up to $24,500 in employee deferrals. Participants aged 50+ can contribute an additional $8,000 in catch-up contributions (total $32,500). Those aged 60-63 can make super catch-up contributions of $11,250 (total $35,750). Currently, Darden Restaurants participants contribute an average of $458 per year in employee deferrals. Employer contributions are separate from these limits.
Many Darden Restaurants 401(k) plans offer loan provisions. As of the latest filing, Darden Restaurants participants had $32.4M in outstanding loans (averaging $164 across participants with active loans). The IRS limits 401(k) loans to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of your vested balance. With an average account balance of $8K in the Darden Restaurants plan, the maximum potential loan amount for a fully vested participant would vary accordingly. Check with your plan administrator for specific loan terms.
When you leave Darden Restaurants, you have several options for your 401(k): keep it in the plan (if the balance is over $7,000), roll it over to a new employer's plan, roll it to an IRA, or take a cash distribution (subject to taxes and potential penalties). In the most recent filing year, the plan processed $147.5M in distributions to departing or retired participants. Employer match contributions may be subject to a vesting schedule.
According to the most recent Form 5500 filing, the Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan has 197,946 active participants managing $1.6B in plan assets. The average account balance is $8K per participant, and the plan was originally established on N/A.
Many major employers, including Darden Restaurants, offer both traditional pre-tax and Roth after-tax 401(k) contribution options. Given that Darden Restaurants participants average $458 in annual deferrals, choosing between Roth and traditional depends on whether you expect your tax bracket to be higher or lower in retirement. Contact the Darden Restaurants plan administrator for availability.
The Darden Restaurants 401(k) plan typically offers a range of investment options including target-date funds, index funds, actively managed funds, and potentially company stock. The plan generated $341.9M in total investment income during the last filing year. Log into your account to see current investment options and performance.
Darden Restaurants (DRI) may offer company stock as an investment option within the 401(k) plan. Be mindful of concentration risk — financial advisors typically recommend limiting company stock to no more than 10-15% of your portfolio, especially given that your employment income already depends on Darden Restaurants's performance.
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Disclaimer: Information on this page is sourced from public DOL Form 5500 filings and is provided for educational purposes only. This is not financial, tax, or investment advice. Plan details may have changed since the last filing. Always consult your plan administrator, HR department, or a qualified financial advisor for the most current information about your 401(k) plan. 401K.is is not affiliated with Darden Restaurants or their plan providers. Stock data for DRI is provided by Polygon.io and may be delayed.
Last updated: February 2026 | Data source: DOL Form 5500 (Latest Filings) | Filed: 2025-10-16