Darden Restaurants

Darden Restaurants received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2). However, Darden Restaurants has not publicly canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (3).

Darden Restaurants’ HRC CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2). Darden Restaurant does not appear to discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or beliefs (3).

Darden Restaurants’ HRC 2023-2024 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2). Darden Restaurants does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (3). Darden Restaurants offers unconscious bias and inclusion and diversity training to employees (4).

Darden Restaurants’ HRC 2023-2024 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy (1)(2). By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders. The company signed an open letter endorsing the Equality Act, a contentious proposal to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by adding sexual orientation and so-called gender identity as protected categories. The legislation would, among other implications, grant biological men access to women-only spaces such as sports teams and public restrooms, and compel healthcare providers to deliver sex-denying healthcare (3).

Darden Restaurants’ HRC 2023-2024 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). Darden Restaurants is a brass sponsor of Out & Equal and sent 17 employees to its summit (3)(4)(5). The company is a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (6). Darden is a member of the MCCA, indicating its focus on recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees based on race (7)(8).

Darden Restaurants’ HRC 2023-2024 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). Darden Restaurants’ PAC has been defunct since 2016 (3)(4)(5).