Ensuring an Inclusive & Diverse Culture
At Darden, everyone is welcome to a seat at our table.
Our History Shapes Our Commitment
When Bill Darden opened his first restaurant in 1938, he employed anyone willing to work hard, work smart and grow with the company – without regard to race, gender or background.
Ensuring an inclusive and diverse workplace is at the very heart of Darden and our brands. We are strengthened by a diversity of cultures, perspectives, backgrounds and ideas. We honor each other’s heritage and uniqueness.
Our Inclusion & Diversity Strategy
We prioritize our inclusion and diversity efforts not just because it is the right thing to do – but because it makes us better. It leads to innovation of thought, fuels our growth as a company and creates great places to work for our team members. Our strategy to uphold our founder’s legacy is rooted in advancing workplace diversity, creating an inclusive environment and building on our commitment.
Advance Workplace Diversity
- Increase our pipeline of diverse leaders
- Ensure all levels of our team reflect the diversity of talent in our industry and communities
- Expand inclusive hiring and development best practices across all our brands
Create an Inclusive Environment
- Expand inclusion and diversity awareness and training to all team member populations
- Equip all leaders with the tools and resources to foster an inclusive environment for team members and guests
- Utilize Employee Resource Groups to engage, retain and advance our team
Build on Our Commitment
- Make a positive impact in the communities we serve
Advance Workplace Diversity
Every team member matters and owns a stake in our success. We celebrate what makes each team member unique and are committed to ensuring that all levels of our team reflect the diversity of our industry and communities we serve.
Our Team (as of FY2024)
For the past three years, at least 85% of our hourly team members have been People of Color and/or women
Over the past three years, 71% of promotions into management have been People of Color and/or women
Across our restaurant and support center teams, People of Color comprise 36% of our leadership
Across our restaurant and support center teams, women represent 44% of our leadership
51% of our Executive Leadership is comprised of People of Color and/or women
33% of our Board of Directors are women, and 22% are People of Color
Talent Outreach Services
We are committed to ensuring that our teams reflect the rich diversity of the communities we serve. That is why we have begun to work with Talent Outreach Services to enhance our recruiting efforts. This allows us to provide hiring information to candidates within more than 6,500 Community-Based Organizations that serve dislocated workers, recipients of unemployment, people with disabilities, veterans and more. When openings are available close by, these organizations receive details on available positions so they can quickly and directly share postings with their members. Since the program began, our restaurants have hired hundreds of team members from all walks of life across our eight brands.
Our Best Practices
Diverse representation at every level strengthens our teams and our business. We prioritize inclusive hiring and development best practices to help us build a diverse pipeline of talent at every level. We believe in identifying talent early in their journey and providing our team members with the support they need to grow their careers with us. Here is how we do it...
- Every year, we invest $40 million in training for our team members.
- We also invest in technology that helps us share information about available jobs with diverse communities.
- We identify emerging talent and match people with available opportunities that will allow them to grow. This includes new restaurant openings, our Certified Trainer Program, our Manager in Training program and more.
- Our leaders create opportunities for communities to connect and foster healthy dialogue through leadership symposiums for women and People of Color, mentoring circles and roundtable conversations.
- We enable participation in leadership conferences like Out & Equal, Women’s Foodservice Forum, Executive Leadership Council, and National Diversity Council’s Hispanic Leadership Conference.
I was enlightened and energized during candid talks at the conference, a two-day professional development seminar for 1,000 high-performing black managers and leaders that was packed with leadership lessons and networking opportunities.
Influencing Change
As the leading full-service restaurant company in the United States, we humbly realize the impact we can make in our industry. That is why we continue to work with reputable organizations to advance ongoing progress towards striving for and maintaining inclusive and diverse workforces.
Darden’s consistent involvement in MFHA at the highest levels of leadership sends a strong message to its associates and the industry as to the importance of building an inclusive culture. Darden’s CEOs have personally been involved and advocated for MFHA and diversity in the industry. That’s leadership!”
Executive Leadership Council (ELC)
The mission of the ELC is to increase the number of successful Black executives, domestically and internationally, by adding value to their development, leadership and philanthropic endeavors across the lifecycle of their careers. Each year, Darden sponsors attendance to the Mid-Level Managers’ Symposium for high-potential managers.
Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA)
MFHA aims to build culturally intelligent brands and leaders within the food and hospitality industry. As a founding member, Darden has been a partner of MFHA for more than 25 years, and our leaders have always been members of their Board of Representatives.
National Diversity Council
Comprised of community based, national organizations that champion diversity and inclusion, The National Diversity Council brings together the private, public and non-profit sectors to discuss the many dimensions and benefits of a multicultural environment. Our Inclusion & Diversity leader serves on the Florida Diversity Council, and we sponsor leader participation in symposiums to learn and share best practices.
Out & Equal
Out & Equal is the premier organization working exclusively on LGBTQ workplace equality. Each year, we send operators from our family of brands and our Restaurant Support Center to join the Out & Equal Workplace Summit – the largest LGBTQ-focused conference in the world.
Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF)
WFF is relentlessly focused on advancing women leaders in the food industry. We have been long-time sponsors of WFF’s annual conference and leadership development workshops and our executives have served on the WFF Executive Committee and Board of Directors.
Create An Inclusive Environment
At Darden, Inclusion & Diversity is woven throughout the fabric of our culture. Every day, we work to create an inclusive environment for our team members and guests by expanding awareness and training, equipping leaders with tools and resources, and using Employee Resource Groups to engage, retain and advance our team.
Building Culture Through Inclusion
Creating a culture of inclusion not only promotes a positive work environment, it also helps deliver business results. We have made investments to expand Inclusion & Diversity awareness and training for our people leaders to help them create and lead a workplace where everyone feels welcomed, valued and respected.
Employee Resource Groups
Our Employee Resource Groups support our efforts to ensure a welcoming environment where every team member matters and their unique perspectives are valued, heard and celebrated. These networks are inclusive and welcome team members of all backgrounds.
Darden African American Network | Sharing the Past, Building the Future
Our mission is to be a development champion for team members and Darden, positively impact Darden’s performance by serving as a proxy for the African American guest, and educate the Darden community about African American culture.
Darden Asian Network | Embracing Asian Cultures
Our mission is to develop a strong and engaged Asian American workforce while fostering an appreciation for their contributions to Darden and the community.
Hispanic or Latin American Network | Many Cultures, One Vision
Our mission is to support and enrich the Hispanic and Latin American communities, establishing partnerships within and outside of Darden.
Darden Pride Alliance | Celebrating LGBTQ – Uniting All
Our mission is to leverage the contributions of the Darden LGBTQ community and Allies in a welcoming and inclusive environment to enhance the company’s diverse culture.
Darden Serve Network | Proud to Serve
Our mission is to develop, support, and recognize those who have served in the military and those who stand beside them, building camaraderie throughout the Darden family.
Darden Women’s Network | Inspiring & Connecting Women
Our mission is to recognize, encourage, strengthen and celebrate the unique perspectives, intelligence and leadership skills that women bring to the workplace, supporting Darden's goal to be the full-service restaurant company of choice, now and for generations.
Build on Our Commitment
Our commitment to inclusion and diversity extends beyond the four walls of our restaurants and our Restaurant Support Center. To build on our commitment, our path forward is to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
Supporting Our Communities
We recognize that when communities thrive, businesses and individuals do too. That is why Darden is committed to being a positive force in the communities we serve. As part of our commitment to inclusion and diversity, we provide grants to make a positive impact in communities of color. Here’s how:
- In our ongoing effort to fight hunger, the Darden Foundation has partnered with Feeding America to help local food banks expand mobile food pantry programs where they are needed most.
- The Darden Foundation has also partnered with The Boys & Girls Clubs of America to develop training that will help youth of all ages better understand diversity and combat racial discrimination.