Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) Q1 FY2027 earnings

Reported results

• Total sales increased 5.1% to $3.2 billion
• Blended same-restaurant sales increased 3.1% on fiscal calendar basis and 3.2% on comparable calendar basis
• Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.05, an increase of 4.1% from prior year adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.97
• LongHorn Steakhouse same-restaurant sales increased 6.2% on fiscal calendar basis and 6.8% on comparable calendar basis
• Company repurchased $222.3 million of common stock (approximately 1.1 million shares)
• Board declared quarterly cash dividend of $1.62 per share, payable November 2, 2026

Guidance

• Reaffirmed full year fiscal 2027 diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations guidance of $11.10 to $11.35

Notes

Due to transition from 53-week to 52-week fiscal year, fiscal period comparisons are offset by one week. Company provides both fiscal calendar and comparable calendar same-restaurant sales metrics to account for this shift. Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations of $2.05 compared to adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations in prior year of $1.97. Q1 2026 adjustments included Chuy’s transaction and integration costs of $0.02 per share, closed restaurant costs of $0.02 per share, and gain on Olive Garden Canada sale of $(0.26) per share.

Price and volatility reaction

The stock moved -3.0% on the print. No front-expiry chain was on file, so there is no straddle expected move. 30-day ATM implied volatility moved -6.8 vol points across the event (constant-maturity series — not the front-week crush).

Source

The figures above come from the earnings release the company filed with the SEC on 2026-09-24 (8-K, Item 2.02). Read the original filing on sec.gov.