DOverview
Darden Restaurants operates a large portfolio of full-service restaurants across multiple brands with over 1,800 company-owned locations in North America, generating revenue by selling food and drinks. Brands include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House, spanning casual family dining to upscale options. It earns revenue by running its own restaurants where guests dine in and pay for meals and beverages, with each brand targeting a specific market segment. The company differentiates through scale, a multi-brand portfolio, owned-and-operated locations, and distinct dining atmospheres and price points across its brands to reach a wide customer base. Its goal is to grow and sustain a leading, diversified full-service dining platform by expanding its brand footprint and delivering consistent dining experiences.
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About Darden Restaurants
Industries
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida
Founded
1938
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Fiscal 2026 sales rose 9.4% to $13.21 billion; Darden guided $13.6-$13.75 billion for 2027.
- LongHorn comp sales grew 6.2% on August 30, 2026, leading the portfolio.
- Darden repurchased $222.3 million shares in Q1 2027 and kept buying back stock.
What critics are saying
- Olive Garden comps slowed to 1.1% on September 24, 2026, threatening Darden's largest brand.
- Food and labor costs lifted quarterly operating expenses 6.5%, compressing margins in 2027.
- If Olive Garden stalls and LongHorn cools, Darden loses its two growth engines.
What makes Darden Restaurants unique
- Darden’s portfolio spans Olive Garden, LongHorn, Yard House, and Ruth’s Chris across segments.
- LongHorn reached $1.01 billion quarterly sales on June 25, 2026, proving brand breadth.
- Darden owns company-operated restaurants, giving tighter execution control than franchised rivals.
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Funding
Total Funding
$750M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
1 Rounds
Stock Price
Company News
CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group named 2026-27 Conti professor. Darryl "Chip" Wade will serve as the Penn State School of Hospitality Management's Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor Summary. Penn State names Union Square Hospitality Group CEO Darryl "Chip" Wade its 2026-27 Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor. He teaches and advises students and faculty at University Park and leads virtual seminars during the academic year, drawing on decades of restaurant leadership at companies including Red Lobster, Darden, Legal Sea Foods and TGI Fridays. UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The Penn State School of Hospitality Management has named Darryl "Chip" Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, as its 2026-27 Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor. The Conti Professorship program, now in its 38th year, brings hospitality industry leaders and scholars to serve as guest lecturers and mentors to students in the hospitality management program and connect with faculty members and researchers in the school. "Welcoming Chip to our illustrious list of industry speakers serving in the spirit of the exceptional hospitality leader, Walter Conti, is an honor for the school," said Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner Endowed Director of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management. "Chip's career and cultivation of talent have created award-winning restaurant cultures culminating in his prestigious 2026 IFMA Gold Plate Award. We know our students and community will be inspired by his story and are grateful he is willing to share with Penn Staters his insights in sustaining business success." Wade will be in-residence at Penn State University Park, visiting during the 2026-27 academic year to teach and advise students and faculty in their fields of study or areas of expertise. He will also engage in virtual seminars with undergraduate and graduate students throughout the academic year. "I am truly honored to be named the 2026-27 Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor," Wade said. "Hospitality has a way of teaching you something new every day, no matter how long you have been in it, and staying on the floor keeps that intellectual curiosity alive. That is really what makes me a student for life. I am as excited to learn from Penn State's students and faculty as I am to teach them, and I am looking forward to sharing some of the lessons I have picked up along the way from the many hospitalitarians who have shaped my own career." As CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, Wade is responsible for enhancing and evolving the company's culture, driving an even greater experience for guests and bolstering the excellence and growth of its businesses. He joined the executive team as president in 2019, following a 30-year career in operational leadership in the hospitality industry. In 2022, he was named CEO. Before joining Union Square Hospitality Group, Wade served as executive vice president of operations for Red Lobster. As the senior leader of all operating functions, he was responsible for in-restaurant execution and driving strategy to maximize the guest experience and growth for 677 restaurants in the United States and 27 restaurants in Canada with average unit sales of $3.3 million and $2.4 billion systemwide. Previously, Wade was senior vice president of enterprise operations for Darden, the world's largest full-service restaurant operating company. Wade spent two years away from Darden when he served as chief operating officer for Legal Sea Foods, Inc., in Boston. In this role, he managed all operations for the family-owned group's 31 restaurants. He also led as the senior vice president of development for Smokey Bones, a former Darden concept. Earlier in his career, Wade spent more than 13 years with TGI Fridays where he progressed through various management positions in operations, human resources and new business development. A Pennsylvania native, Wade received his culinary degree from Johnson & Wales College, his bachelor of science degree from Widener University and his M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Dallas. Wade serves on the boards of Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and Share Our Strength, a national organization working to end childhood hunger and poverty in the United States. He previously served on the Board of Trustees for Johnson & Wales University and on the board of Youth Villages, a nonprofit organization offering services and support for families of children with emotional, mental and behavioral problems. "We are delighted to welcome Chip to the legacy begun by Walter and continuing to grow each year through the Walter Conti Professorship, Walter Conti Faculty Fellowship and Conti Professors' Scholarship," said Leighan, class of 2003, hotel, restaurant and institutional management, and Mike, class of 2003, journalism, Conti on behalf of the family. "Each Conti professor brings diverse opportunities for student, faculty and industry connection - a cause our grandfather vocally championed. He would be thrilled to welcome a fellow restaurateur with such a passion for service and hospitality back to campus." About the Conti Professorship program. Walter Conti earned his bachelor's degree in home economics from Penn State in 1952, becoming a well-known restaurateur and industry leader. He served on the Penn State Board of Trustees from 1974-92, achieving trustee emeritus status. The Conti Professorship program was established by alumni and friends of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management in 1987 to honor Conti for his contributions to the school, Penn State and the hospitality profession. Beginning in 1988, industry leaders and hospitality's best scholars have served each year as guest lecturers and mentors as part of this program. Conti died in 2016 at the age of 87.
Darden Restaurants reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $233.4 million, down from $257.8 million in the year-ago period. Total sales rose 5.1% to $3.2 billion for the quarter ended 30 August, but operating costs climbed 6.5% to $2.88 billion due to higher food, beverage and labour expenses. Companywide same-restaurant sales increased 3.1%. LongHorn Steakhouse led with 6.2% comparable-sales growth, whilst Olive Garden, Darden's largest chain, managed only 1.1% growth. Fine-dining brands saw 1.6% growth. The results narrowly missed analyst expectations. Darden stock fell 5.2% to $202.51 in premarket trading. The company repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares for $222.3 million during the quarter. For fiscal year 2027, Darden maintained its guidance of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion in total sales.
Darden Restaurants stock falls 5% as Olive Garden growth slows. 2026-09-24 05:19:53 Key takeaways. * Darden Restaurants reported quarterly earnings of $2.05 per share missing analyst expectations of $2.06, causing stock to fall 5%. * Olive Garden same-store sales increased only 1.1% while LongHorn Steakhouse led portfolio with 6.2% growth. * Darden reiterated fiscal 2027 guidance projecting total sales between $13.60 billion and $13.75 billion. Darden Restaurants on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that narrowly missed Wall Street expectations as same-store sales growth at its flagship Olive Garden chain slowed. The parent company of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse posted earnings per share of $2.05 versus the $2.06 analysts expected, with revenue of $3.20 billion against a $3.21 billion forecast for the quarter ended Aug. 30. Shares fell 5% in premarket trading following the announcement. The earnings miss reflects weakening growth at Olive Garden as diners have become more selective about restaurant spending, even as the company's overall same-store sales increased 3.1% across all business units. Darden reports net income decline and revenue growth. Darden reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $233.4 million, or $2.04 per share, down from $257.8 million, or $2.19 per share, a year earlier. Net sales rose 5.1% to $3.20 billion. The company's same-store sales increased 3.1% during the fiscal quarter, with each of Darden's business units reporting growth. LongHorn Steakhouse leads portfolio with 6.2% same-store sales growth. LongHorn Steakhouse was the top performer of the portfolio this quarter, with same-store sales rising 6.2%. The chain has overtaken Olive Garden to become Darden's top performer, although it still accounts for a smaller share of the company's overall revenue. Olive Garden saw its same-store sales inch up 1.1%. While it remains the company's largest chain by both number of locations and sales, Olive Garden has seen its growth weaken as diners have become more choosy about their spending. Darden's fine-dining business reported same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The segment includes chains like The Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris. The company's remaining chains, grouped under its "other business" division, saw same-store sales grow 3.8% in the quarter. Darden reiterates fiscal 2027 guidance. Darden reiterated its forecast for fiscal 2027. The company is projecting total sales of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and net earnings per share from continuing operations in a range of $11.10 to $11.35. Faq. What caused Darden Restaurants stock to fall on Thursday? Darden Restaurants stock fell 5% in premarket trading on Thursday after the company reported quarterly earnings per share of $2.05 versus the $2.06 expected by analysts and revenue of $3.20 billion against a $3.21 billion forecast for the quarter ended Aug. 30. How did Olive Garden perform in Darden's latest quarter? Olive Garden saw its same-store sales increase 1.1% in the quarter ended Aug. 30. While it remains Darden's largest chain by number of locations and sales, Olive Garden has experienced weakening growth as diners have become more selective about restaurant spending. Which Darden chain had the strongest same-store sales growth? LongHorn Steakhouse was the top performer in Darden's portfolio this quarter, with same-store sales rising 6.2%. The chain has overtaken Olive Garden to become Darden's top performer, although it still accounts for a smaller share of overall revenue. Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third-party sources and is for reference only. It does not represent the views or opinions of Gate and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Virtual asset trading involves high risk. Please do not rely solely on the information on this page when making decisions. For details, see the Disclaimer.
Darden Restaurants stock falls as Olive Garden reports slower growth. Advertisements The exterior of an Olive Garden is seen on June 20, 2025 in Austin, Texas. Brandon Bell | Getty Images Darden Restaurants on Thursday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that narrowly missed analysts' expectations as same-store sales growth at Olive Garden slows. Shares of the company fell 5% in premarket trading. Here's what the company reported for the quarter ended Aug. 30 compared with what Wall Street was expecting, based on a survey of analysts by LSEG: * Earnings per share: $2.05 vs. $2.06 expected * Revenue: $3.20 billion vs. $3.21 billion expected Darden reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $233.4 million, or $2.04 per share, down from $257.8 million, or $2.19 per share, a year earlier. Net sales rose 5.1% to $3.20 billion. The company's same-store sales increased 3.1% during the fiscal quarter as each of Darden's business units reported growth. LongHorn Steakhouse was once again the top performer of the portfolio this quarter, as same-store sales rose 6.2%. The chain has overtaken Olive Garden to become Darden's top performer, although it still accounts for a smaller share of the company's overall revenue. Olive Garden saw its same-store sales inch up 1.1%. While it is still the company's largest chain by both number of locations and sales, Olive Garden has seen its growth weaken as diners have become more choosy about their spending. Darden's fine-dining business reported same-store sales growth of 1.6%. The segment includes chains like The Capital Grille and Ruth's Chris. The company's remaining chains, which are grouped under its "other business" division, saw same-store sales grow 3.8% in the quarter. Darden also reiterated its forecast for fiscal 2027. The company is projecting total sales of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and net earnings per share from continuing operations in a range of $11.10 to $11.35. Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) Navigates Q1 2027 with Mixed Financial results and positive outlook. Sep 24, 2026 Market News FMPDarden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) Navigates Q1 2027 with Mixed Financial Resul... * Darden Restaurants' earnings per share (EPS) of $2.05 met analyst expectations but represented a year-over-year decline due to higher expenses. * Despite a slight revenue miss with total revenue of $3.20 billion, the company maintains a positive outlook for the fiscal year. * Growth in same-restaurant sales and a reaffirmed financial outlook support confidence, even with a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20. Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) is a major player in the full-service dining industry. The company operates a portfolio of well-known restaurant brands, including Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse. It competes with other large casual dining chains for customer traffic and spending. Darden Restaurants recently reported its financial results for the first quarter of its 2027 fiscal year. On September 24, 2026, Darden Restaurants announced an earnings per share (EPS) of $2.05, which met the expectations of market analysts, as highlighted by Benzinga Pro. However, this figure represents a decline. As reported by WSJ, Darden Restaurants' earnings fell from $2.19 per share in the same quarter a year earlier, mainly because of higher expenses. For the quarter, Darden Restaurants posted total revenue of $3.20 billion. This result was just slightly below the consensus analyst estimate of $3.21 billion. Despite the small revenue miss and lower profit, the company's President and CEO, Rick Cardenas, described the quarter as a "solid start" to the fiscal year, as stated in a PR Newswire release. This positive outlook is supported by growth in key areas. All of the company's restaurant segments achieved positive same-restaurant sales, meaning established locations generated more revenue than they did in the previous year. Darden Restaurants also declared a quarterly dividend for its investors and reaffirmed its financial outlook for the full fiscal year. Looking at its financial health, Darden Restaurants has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 20.76. This metric shows that investors are paying nearly 21 times the company's annual earnings for each share. Furthermore, its debt-to-equity ratio of 3.20 indicates that the company uses more borrowed money than its own funds to finance its assets. Market news and analyst rating coverage Alex Lavoie covers market-moving news and analyst activity for the FMP blog, summarizing price-target changes, upgrades and downgrades, earnings results, and company developments. The focus is on turning timely market events into concise, data-backed updates that help readers stay current on the companies they follow. Financial data for every need. Real-time quotes and 30+ years of historical data, including prices, fundamentals, and insider transactions - all accessible via API. Stock Screener 2017-2026 (C) FMP
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About Darden Restaurants
Industries
Company Size
10,001+
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida
Founded
1938
There are no jobs for Darden Restaurants right now.
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today