Darden Restaurants to Release Fiscal 2026 Third Quarter Results on March 19, 2026 [Accessibility Statement] Skip NavigationORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) plans to release its fiscal 2026 third quarter financial results before the market opens on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The Company will host a conference call, led by Rick Cardenas, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Raj Vennam, Chief Financial Officer, to review third quarter results and conduct a ...

Company Overview - Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) has a market cap of approximately $25.1 billion and is one of the largest full-service restaurant operators in the U.S., known for brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse [1] Stock Performance - DRI stock has increased by 7.6% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has risen by 14.4%. However, on a year-to-date basis, DRI shares are up 14.3%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 1.4% gain [2] - The company has also outperformed the State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY), which returned 4.6% over the past 52 weeks [3] Strategic Decisions - On February 3, DRI shares rose by 2.3% following the announcement of the completion of a strategic review for its Bahama Breeze brand, which will involve the permanent closure of 14 locations and the conversion of the remaining 14 into other Darden concepts. These closures are expected to be finalized by April 5, 2026, with conversions occurring over the next 12–18 months. Management indicated that this move will not have a material financial impact and aims to strengthen other brands within its portfolio while supporting employees by placing them in other roles across Darden's network [4] Financial Projections - For the fiscal year ending in May 2026, analysts project DRI's adjusted EPS to grow by 10.7% year-over-year to $10.57. The company's earnings surprise history has been mixed, with one out of the last four quarters exceeding consensus estimates and three missing [5] - Among the 31 analysts covering DRI, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," consisting of 19 "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," and 11 "Holds" [5]

Group 1 - Darden Restaurants, Inc. is recognized as a leading operator in the full-service dining industry, managing well-known brands such as Olive Garden, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and others [2] - The company has established a competitive advantage through operational excellence, scale, and prudent capital allocation, positioning itself as a category-defining enterprise in the restaurant sector [2] - Olive Garden's performance has been highlighted positively, contributing to Darden's status as a "retail winner" in the current economic landscape [1] Group 2 - Darden's portfolio includes a diverse range of restaurant concepts, which enhances its market presence and appeal to various consumer segments [2] - The company is noted for its ability to compound shareholder value, indicating a strong focus on long-term growth and profitability [2]

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, known for Olive Garden, operates a total of 10 restaurant concepts, including LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House, which diversifies its portfolio and enhances its market presence [1] Company Overview - Darden Restaurants is a significant player in the restaurant industry, owning multiple brands that cater to different dining preferences, thus providing a broad customer base [1] Investment Perspective - The company is viewed as a long-term investment opportunity, with a focus on growth potential and valuation metrics within the restaurant sector [1]

Core Insights - Darden Restaurants Inc reported earnings of $1.97 per share, missing expectations, while revenue of $3.04 billion met forecasts, leading to a 9.7% drop in shares to $188.61 [1] - The company experienced strong same-store sales growth across its portfolio but faced challenges in the fine dining segment due to rising costs [1] - Despite the current struggles, Darden raised its 2026 forecast, indicating confidence in a potential rebound [1] Stock Performance - If the current trend continues, the stock will log its fifth consecutive daily loss and the steepest post-earnings drop in at least nine quarters, reaching its lowest levels since April [2] - Year-to-date, the stock is up 1.3% and reached an all-time high in June, but is now relying on its 320-day moving average to prevent further losses [2] Analyst Sentiment - Analysts remain bullish, with 18 out of 29 brokerages maintaining a "buy" or better rating, while 11 have a "hold" rating [3] - Following the earnings report, there was a significant number of price-target adjustments, but the 12-month consensus price target stands at $232.94, indicating a substantial premium to current levels [3] Options Market Activity - In the options market, sentiment is leaning bearish, with 7,865 puts traded compared to 1,885 calls, and overall volume at 24 times the average intraday amount [4] - The most active contracts include the monthly September puts with strike prices of 200, 195, 190, and 185, with new positions being opened at the last [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].

Financial Performance - Fiscal Year 2025 - Total sales reached $12.1 billion, representing a 6.0% increase[49] - Same-restaurant sales grew by 2.0%[49] - Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $9.55[49] - Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $2.0 billion[49] - The company returned $1.1 billion in cash to shareholders[49] Financial Performance - Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 - Total sales were $3.3 billion, a 10.6% increase[38] - Same-restaurant sales increased by 4.6%[38] - Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.98[38] - Adjusted EBITDA was $582 million[38] - Cash return totaled $215 million[38] Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook - Total sales growth is projected to be between 7.0% and 8.0%, which includes approximately 2% total sales growth for the extra week[56] - Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be between 2.0% and 3.5%[56] - Diluted net earnings per share are forecasted to be between $10.50 and $10.70[56]

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]