TULSA, Okla. (June 7, 2006) – Darden Restaurants, Inc., the world’s largest casual dining restaurant company, announced that The Bama Companies, Inc., headquartered in Tulsa has received this year’s prestigious William B. Darden Supplier Recognition Award. The award is presented each year at the restaurant industry’s premier trade show and is named for Darden Restaurant’s founder, whose vision helped establish the casual dining industry nearly 40 years ago.

Darden, which owns and operates 1,400 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones Barbeque & Grill and Seasons 52 restaurants, recognized the dough manufacturer for developing outstanding flatbread dough for Seasons 52, presenting fresh ideas for the company to evaluate and consistently delivering on its promises in a timely fashion.

The Supplier of the Year awards are presented annually at the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Hotel/Motel Show to vendors whose innovations significantly contributed to Darden’s growth during the company’s previous 12 months.

“Our ‘Supplier of the Year’ award recipients are trendsetters in our industry,” said Clarence Otis, Darden Restaurants chairman and chief executive officer. “The Bama Companies is one of our innovative suppliers who go above and beyond the ordinary in providing us the products and services we need so we may provide the best dining experiences at a good value to our guests.”

Darden’s culinary, purchasing, total quality and marketing teams selected 10 winners from more than 2,000 suppliers Darden partnered with in fiscal 2006, which ended May 31, 2006. Each winning supplier was chosen for exceeding expectations and demonstrating a distinguishing point of difference in the areas of quality, service innovation and value.

The Bama Companies supplies innovative culinary and product development services and custom-made oven-ready products to restaurants worldwide. Specialties include pies, biscuits, doughs and crumb crusts.

“Darden is proud to have outstanding companies like The Bama Companies as a strategic partner,” said Barry Moullet, senior vice president of supply chain and development. “Suppliers who understand our business goals and bring us exciting products and ideas are integral to our company’s continued success and growth.”

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), based in Orlando, Fla., operates nearly 1,400 Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, Smokey Bones and Seasons 52 restaurants. With annual sales of $5.3 billion, the company employs nearly 160,000 people who serve 300 million meals annually. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.