Darden Restaurants Inc

Latest Results (29.08.2026):

Darden Restaurants, Inc. — Fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 (quarter and year ended May 31, 2026): Darden reported a strong Q4 and fiscal 2026 with total Q4 sales of $3.72 billion (up 13.7%) and full-year sales of $13.21 billion (up 9.4%), reported diluted EPS from continuing operations of $3.54 for Q4 and $10.44 for the year, and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.66 for Q4 (22.8% growth) and $10.64 for the year (11.4% growth). Results included a 53rd week that contributed $0.25 to EPS, continued positive same-restaurant sales across brands, a $138 million share repurchase in the quarter, an increased quarterly dividend, and a new $1.5 billion open share-repurchase authorization.

Total sales

Q4 total sales $3,718.8M (+13.7% YoY); FY total sales $13,210.9M (+9.4% YoY). Q4 growth reflected a 53rd week (+7.6% of Q4 sales impact), blended same-restaurant sales gains and sales from 43 net new restaurants.

Same-restaurant sales by brand

Q4 consolidated same-restaurant sales +4.6% (Olive Garden +2.4%, LongHorn +9.5%, Fine Dining +1.9%, Other Business +4.6%). Fiscal-year consolidated same-restaurant sales +4.5% (Olive Garden +4.0%, LongHorn +7.2%, Fine Dining +1.2%, Other Business +3.9%).

Reported and adjusted earnings per share

Q4 reported diluted net EPS from continuing operations $3.54; Q4 adjusted diluted net EPS $3.66 (excludes $0.12 of items; +22.8% vs. prior year). FY reported diluted EPS $10.44; FY adjusted diluted EPS $10.64 (+11.4% vs. prior year). The extra week added $0.25 to both reported and adjusted EPS.

Segment results (Q4 and FY highlights)

Q4 segment sales: Olive Garden $1,538.0M (segment profit $373.0M), LongHorn $1,016.5M (segment profit $215.2M), Fine Dining $371.0M (segment profit $69.0M), Other Business $793.3M (segment profit $142.1M). FY segment profits: Olive Garden $1,257.9M, LongHorn $635.1M, Fine Dining $243.1M, Other Business $446.9M.

Cash flow, capital and capital allocation

Net cash provided by operating activities (FY) $1,853.1M. Purchases of land, buildings and equipment $734.0M for the year. FY dividends paid $693.0M; FY repurchases of common stock $671.7M (Q4 repurchases ~$138M, ~0.7M shares). Board authorized a new $1.5B open repurchase program (no expiration).

Dividend and buyback

Quarterly cash dividend declared $1.62 per share (8.0% increase vs. prior quarter), payable Aug 3, 2026 (record date July 10, 2026). Q4 repurchase $138M; new $1.5B repurchase authorization announced June 24, 2026.

Balance sheet and leverage notes

Total assets $12,862.4M; total liabilities $10,654.9M; total stockholders’ equity $2,207.5M. Cash and cash equivalents $219.5M at 5/31/2026; short-term debt/current portion increased to $693.6M (vs. $0 at prior-year period reported).

Operational & other notes

Operating income Q4 $516.8M. Q4 included non-cash impairment and closure-related items (impairment charges primarily tied to Bahama Breeze closures). Company ended the year with 2,202 company-owned restaurants (up from 2,159), with notable reductions in Bahama Breeze locations (13 vs. 28).

Fiscal 2027 outlook

Guidance for fiscal 2027: total sales $13.60B–$13.75B; same-restaurant sales +2.5% to +3.5%; 75–80 new restaurant openings; total capital spending ≈ $875M; diluted net EPS from continuing operations $11.10–$11.35; EBITDA $2.26B–$2.29B; ~114M weighted average diluted shares outstanding.