Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) Q2 2026 Earnings Call December 18, 2025 08:30 AM ET Speaker6Greetings and welcome to the Darden Restaurants Q2 FY26 earnings conference call and webcast. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. You may be placed into the question queue at any time by pressing star 1 on your telephone keypad, and we ask that you please ask one question, one follow-up, and return to the queue. If anyone should requ ...

Core Insights - Chili's Grill & Bar is launching a new menu item, Southwestern Queso, on October 7, 2025, after nearly two years of development, aiming to enhance its queso offerings [1][3][4] - The new Southwestern Queso will be available for free to My Chili's members from October 7 to October 21, allowing customers to experience what the company claims is the best queso available nationwide [2][5] Product Development - The Southwestern Queso replaces the previous Skillet Beef and White Skillet Queso, which each accounted for about 1% of sales, indicating a demand for improved queso options [3][4] - The new recipe features a blend of American and cheddar cheeses, fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and a hint of lime, designed to provide a smooth texture and Southwestern flavors [4] Customer Engagement - Chili's conducted taste tests where nearly 70% of respondents preferred the new Southwestern Queso over the previous Skillet Beef Queso, demonstrating positive customer feedback [4] - The company emphasizes the importance of real-time feedback from guests and restaurant teams in the product development process [4] Menu Integration - Southwestern Queso will be offered as a standalone appetizer, part of the Dip Trio, or as a side with Sizzlin' Fajitas, and will also top the new Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos [6]

Industry Focus - The report highlights a billionaire who has reinvented casual dining [1] Media Type - The content is a link to a video [1]

Company Overview - A billionaire reinvented casual dining [1] External Links - Article link provided: https://t.co/7Z2WV7o6Fu [1] - Image link provided: https://t.co/u6Ct65BhOX [1]