Darden Posts Sales Up 10%, Targets Full-Year Revenues Of $11.5 Billion

Darden Restaurants saw sales climb 10% to $2.7 billion in its fiscal second quarter ended November 26, boosted by same-restaurant sales up 2.8% and the addition of 78 Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse locations during the period. Darden acquired Ruth’s Chris for $715 million earlier this year. The company’s Olive Garden chain was up 6.3% to $1.25 billion in the quarter, while LongHorn Steakhouse grew 7.1% to $643 million, and the fine dining segment jumped 57% to $318 million, bolstered by the addition of Ruth’s Chris, which joined The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s in the fine dining portfolio.

Darden CEO Rick Cardenas told analysts that consumers appear resilient at the moment but more selective in their choices than previously, and the company raised its profit forecast for the full year, in which sales are expected to reach $11.5 billion. In addition to the brands above, the Darden portfolio includes Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Seasons 52, and Bahama Breeze.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Darden, LongHorn, Olive Garden, Ruth's Chris, The Capital Grille

GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT 2025 ESTIMATES AND 2030 PROJECTIONS FOR THE WINE AND SPIRITS INDUSTRIES. ORDER YOUR 2025 IMPACT DATABANK REPORTS. CLICK HERE.