DARDEN RESTAURANTS (DRI) Company Report

Same-restaurant sales grew 4.7%, adjusted diluted EPS was $1.97, adjusted EBITDA reached $439 million, and $358 million was returned to shareholders via $175 million in dividends and $183 million in share repurchases.
Olive Garden comps +5.9% (Traffic +2.8%, Pricing +1.9%), with 20.6% segment margin, driven by menu innovation and delivery growth; LongHorn Steakhouse comps +5.5%, segment margin 17.4% despite beef cost pressures.
Fiscal 2026 guidance was raised: Total sales +7.5–8.5%, same-restaurant sales +2.5–3.5%, ~65 new restaurants, 3–3.5% total inflation (commodities 3–4%), and EPS guidance $10.50–$10.70.

Sep 18, 2025, 12:30 PM

Transcript

Darden Restaurants announces fiscal Q1 2026 results

DRI

Earnings

Dividends

Share Buyback

Total sales up 10.4% to $3.0 billion in Q1 FY2026; blended same-restaurant sales grew 4.7% (Olive Garden +5.9%, LongHorn +5.5%)
Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations of $2.19; adjusted diluted EPS of $1.97, a 12.6% increase
Repurchased $183 million of common stock, with $865 million remaining under the current authorization
Declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.50 per share, payable November 3, 2025
Updated FY 2026 outlook: total sales growth of 7.5%–8.5%, same-restaurant sales growth of 2.5%–3.5%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $10.50–$10.70

Sep 18, 2025, 11:00 AM

Press Release

Darden Restaurants Q4 2025 & FY2025 Results, Dividend Increase, $1B Buyback, and Strategic Updates

DRI

Earnings

Share Buyback

Guidance Update

Dividends

Q4 2025: Total sales reached $3.3B (+10.6% YoY) with same-restaurant sales up 4.6%, delivering diluted EPS of $2.58 and adjusted EPS of $2.98.
FY2025: Total sales increased 6.0% to $12.1B, with reported diluted EPS of $8.88 and adjusted EPS of $9.55.
Restaurant performance was strong with an EBITDA margin of 21.6% (+50 bps YoY) and F&B margin of 30.1%; key segments like Olive Garden ($1,381M, +8.1% YoY, margin 23.8%) and Longhorn Steakhouse ($834M, +9.3% YoY, margin 20.1%) drove results.
Shares rose over 2% to an all-time high as the Board raised the quarterly dividend 7.1% to $1.50/share, repurchased $51M in Q4, and authorized a new $1B share repurchase program.
Strategic moves include exploring alternatives for the Bahama Breeze brand and forecasting annual same-store sales above estimates, despite an EPS forecast below analyst expectations.
Fiscal 2026 outlook: Guidance calls for 7–8% total sales growth (including ~2% from a 53rd week), 2–3.5% same-restaurant sales growth, EPS in the range $10.50–10.70, and plans to open 60–65 new restaurants.

Jun 20, 2025, 8:19 PM

Reuters Presentation Press Release 8-K

Darden Restaurants Inc Reports Q3 2025 Earnings

DRI

Earnings

Guidance Update

Total sales of $3.2 billion were reported in Q3 2025, with same-restaurant sales growing 0.7% despite weather and holiday shifts, and adjusted diluted EPS of $2.8, reflecting strong operational execution.
Menu innovations and promotions played a key role, as seen with Olive Garden’s updated menu items and the return of the Buy One, Take One offer, which boosted base traffic and social engagement, while segments like LongHorn and Fine Dining recorded improved profit margins.
The company updated its guidance for Q4 fiscal 2025 to expect total sales between $3.23 and $3.26 billion, same-restaurant sales growth above 3%, and adjusted diluted EPS between $2.88 and $2.95, alongside plans for new restaurant openings in fiscal 2026.

Mar 20, 2025, 12:31 PM

Transcript

Darden Restaurants Announces Q3 2025 Earnings Results

DRI

Earnings

Guidance Update

Total sales reached $3.2 billion with a 6.2% sales growth and 0.7% same-restaurant sales growth, alongside an adjusted EBITDA of $559 million and adjusted diluted net EPS of $2.80 from continuing operations.
The margin analysis showed an increase in operating income and improvements in segment profit margins, with key figures aligning favorably compared to Q3 2024.
The company also updated its fiscal 2025 outlook, projecting total annual sales around $12.1 billion, continued restaurant development with 50 to 55 new openings, and provided commodity and capital spending guidance.

Mar 20, 2025, 12:30 PM

Presentation

Darden Restaurants Reports Q3 2025 Results and Updates Outlook

DRI

Earnings

Dividends

Guidance Update

Q3 sales increased 6.2% to $3.2 billion, driven by blended same-restaurant sales growth and acquisitions, with reported diluted EPS of $2.74 and adjusted EPS of $2.80 (excluding certain integration costs).
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share, payable on May 1, 2025, and repurchased approximately $53 million of common stock.
Darden updated its full-year fiscal 2025 outlook, projecting total sales of about $12.1 billion, 1.5% same-restaurant sales growth, 50 to 55 new restaurant openings, and capital spending of approximately $650 million.

Mar 20, 2025, 11:00 AM

Press Release

Darden Restaurants Announces Q3 2025 Results

DRI

Earnings

Dividends

Share Buyback

Darden Restaurants, Inc. reported Q3 2025 results with total sales of $3.2 billion and a reported diluted EPS of $2.74 (adjusted EPS of $2.80 after excluding integration costs).
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share, repurchased approximately $53 million of common stock, and updated its full year outlook with total sales of about $12.1 billion, new restaurant openings of 50-55, and planned capital spending of $650 million.

Mar 20, 2025, 12:00 AM

8-K

Earnings Transcripts

Quarterly earnings call transcripts for DARDEN RESTAURANTS.

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