Orlando restaurant giant Darden beats profit forecasts | JQJO

ORLANDO, Florida – Darden Restaurants Inc. reported fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year results on Thursday that beat Wall Street expectations, supported by robust growth at LongHorn Steakhouse and steady gains at Olive Garden. The company posted quarterly net income of $404.9 million, or $3.51 per share, and said adjusted earnings were $3.66 per share, topping the $3.63 consensus estimate from Zacks Investment Research. Fourth-quarter sales rose 13.7% to $3.72 billion, driven by a 4.6% blended increase in same-restaurant sales, the opening of 43 net new locations and the benefit of a 53rd week in the fiscal year.

Brand performance varied across the portfolio, with Olive Garden generating $1.54 billion in quarterly sales, up from $1.38 billion a year earlier, on a 2.4% rise in same-restaurant sales. LongHorn Steakhouse recorded $1.02 billion in sales and led growth with a 9.5% jump in same-restaurant sales, while the Fine Dining segment grew 1.9%. For the full fiscal year 2026, Darden’s total sales increased 9.4% to $13.21 billion, and diluted net earnings per share were $10.44, or $10.64 on an adjusted basis. The company also disclosed $0.12 per share in costs related to restaurant closures during the quarter.