JD and Kyle Shoot Stock/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Darden (DRI) decides to pull the plug on the Bahama Breeze chain. (00:14) AMD slides even as Q4 results, guidance surge past Wall Street estimates. (01:13) Walmart (WMT) reaches $1 trillion market value. (02:33) This is an abridged transcript. Darden Restaurants (DRI) announced that it will permanently close 14 of the company's 28 Bahama Breeze restaurants and convert the remaining 14 lo ...

JD and Kyle Shoot Stock/iStock Editorial via Getty Images Listen below or on the go via Apple Podcasts and Spotify Darden (DRI) decides to pull the plug on the Bahama Breeze chain. (00:14) AMD slides even as Q4 results, guidance surge past Wall Street estimates. (01:13) Walmart (WMT) reaches $1 trillion market value. (02:33) This is an abridged transcript. Darden Restaurants (DRI) announced that it will permanently close 14 of the company's 28 Bahama Breeze restaurants and convert the remaining 14 lo ...

The Bahama Breeze restaurant chain is closing, with half of the restaurants being shuttered and the other half converting to parent company Darden's other brands. ...

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc. ("Darden") (NYSE: DRI) today announced that it has completed its exploration of strategic alternatives for Bahama Breeze. Previously, the company announced that the Bahama Breeze brand, and its 28 locations, were no longer a strategic priority and that it would consider strategic alternatives, including a potential sale of the brand or converting restaurants to other Darden brands. The company has now determined that it will permanently cl ...

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants, Inc. plans to release its fiscal 2026 second quarter financial results on December 18, 2025, before the market opens [1] - A conference call will follow at 8:30 am ET, where CEO Rick Cardenas and senior management will discuss the results and answer questions [1] Company Overview - Darden Restaurants operates a diverse portfolio of restaurant brands, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth's Chris Steak House, among others [1]

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants reported mixed quarterly results, with Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse performing well, offsetting weaknesses in the fine-dining segment [1] - The company raised its full-year revenue growth forecast while maintaining its earnings projections, leading to a 6% drop in shares during premarket trading [1] Financial Performance - Darden's fiscal first-quarter net income was $257.8 million, or $2.19 per share, an increase from $207.2 million, or $1.74 per share, year-over-year [2] - Adjusted earnings per share, excluding certain gains and costs, were $1.97, slightly below the expected $2 [5] Sales and Growth Metrics - Net sales increased by 10.4% to $3.04 billion, driven by the acquisition of Chuy's Tex Mex restaurants [3] - Same-store sales rose by 4.7% in the quarter, not including Chuy's or Bahama Breeze locations, which are expected to be divested [3] Future Projections - For fiscal 2026, Darden projects revenue growth of 7.5% to 8.5%, an increase from the previous forecast of 7% to 8% [4] - The company reiterated its adjusted earnings forecast in the range of $10.50 to $10.70 per share [4]

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants, Inc. reported strong financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, with total sales increasing by 10.4% to $3.0 billion, driven by a same-restaurant sales increase of 4.7% and contributions from acquisitions [2][6][7]. Financial Performance - Consolidated sales for Q1 2026 were $3,044.7 million, compared to $2,757.0 million in Q1 2025, reflecting a growth of 10.4% [4]. - Same-restaurant sales growth was reported at 4.7%, with Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse showing increases of 5.9% and 5.5%, respectively [2][4]. - Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased by 12.6% to $1.97, up from $1.75 in the prior year [7][19]. Segment Performance - Olive Garden generated sales of $1,301.1 million in Q1 2026, with a segment profit of $267.6 million, compared to $1,209.1 million and $250.1 million in Q1 2025 [4]. - LongHorn Steakhouse reported sales of $776.4 million and a segment profit of $134.9 million, up from $713.5 million and $128.4 million, respectively [4]. - The Fine Dining segment experienced a slight decline in profit, with a segment profit of $38.7 million compared to $38.9 million in the previous year [4]. Shareholder Returns - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.50 per share, payable on November 3, 2025 [5]. - During the quarter, the company repurchased approximately 0.9 million shares for a total of $183 million, with $865 million remaining under the current $1 billion repurchase authorization [8][7]. Future Outlook - The company updated its full-year financial outlook for fiscal 2026, projecting total sales growth of 7.5% to 8.5%, including approximately 2% growth related to the addition of a 53rd week [14]. - Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be between 2.5% to 3.5%, with plans to open approximately 65 new restaurants [14].

Core Viewpoint - Darden Restaurants (DRI) is expected to report quarterly earnings of $2.93 per share, a 10.6% increase year-over-year, with revenues projected at $3.26 billion, reflecting a 10.3% increase compared to the same period last year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised 0.3% lower over the last 30 days, indicating a reevaluation of initial estimates by analysts [2]. - Revisions to earnings estimates are crucial indicators for predicting investor actions regarding the stock, with empirical research showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price performance [3]. Sales Projections - Analysts predict 'Sales- Olive Garden' will reach $1.35 billion, a 5.6% increase from the prior-year quarter [5]. - 'Sales- Other Business' is expected to be $733.06 million, indicating a 24.3% increase year-over-year [5]. - 'Sales- Fine Dining' is projected at $356.37 million, reflecting a 9% increase from the previous year [5]. - 'Sales- LongHorn Steakhouse' is forecasted to reach $823.83 million, an 8% year-over-year increase [6]. - The 'Same-restaurant sales - LongHorn Steakhouse - YoY change' is expected to be 5.4%, up from 4% in the same quarter last year [6]. Company-Owned Restaurants - The estimate for 'Company-owned restaurants - Total' is 2,183, compared to 2,031 a year ago [6]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - Olive Garden' is projected to reach 933, up from 920 last year [7]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - LongHorn Steakhouse' is estimated at 592, compared to 575 in the same quarter last year [7]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - Bahama Breeze' is expected to remain at 43, unchanged from the previous year [8]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - Seasons 52' is projected to reach 45, up from 44 last year [8]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - Eddie V's' is estimated at 31, compared to 30 a year ago [9]. - 'Company-owned restaurants - Yard House' is expected to reach 90, up from 88 last year [9]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, Darden Restaurants shares have recorded a return of +2.8%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +1.7% change [10].

Group 1 - Darden Restaurants, Inc. plans to release its fiscal 2025 fourth quarter financial results on June 20, 2025, before the market opens [1] - A conference call will follow at 8:30 am ET, where CEO Rick Cardenas and senior management will discuss the results and conduct a Q&A session [1] - A replay of the conference call will be available shortly after the live broadcast for those unable to listen [1] Group 2 - Darden operates a diverse portfolio of restaurant brands, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth's Chris Steak House, among others [2] - The company emphasizes its differentiated brands as a key aspect of its business strategy [2]