Darden Sales Near $3 Billion In Fiscal Second Quarter

Florida-based restaurant giant Darden posted sales up 6% to $2.9 billion in its second quarter ended November 24, boosted by blended same-restaurant sales up 2.4% as well as the addition of 103 Chuy’s restaurants and 39 net new locations.

Within the portfolio, Olive Garden’s same-restaurant sales grew 2%, while LongHorn Steakhouse rose 7.5%, offsetting a 5.8% decrease in the fine dining segment, which includes Ruth’s Chris, Capital Grille, and Eddie V’s. The Darden portfolio also includes Yard House, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, The Capital Burger, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.

Darden is expecting full-year sales of $12.1 billion, with same-restaurant growth of 1.5% and 50-55 new restaurant openings. “We had a strong quarter and I am pleased that our four largest brands—Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen—generated positive same-restaurant sales, as did three of our four business segments,” said Darden president and CEO Rick Cardenas.—Daniel Marsteller

Tagged : Darden, LongHorn, Olive Garden

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