Shares of Darden Eating places, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) have been down over 2% on Friday. The inventory has dropped 17% year-to-date. The restaurant operator delivered gross sales and earnings progress for the primary quarter of 2026 and up to date its outlook for the complete yr. The corporate benefited from optimistic same-restaurant gross sales throughout most of its segments. Right here’s a take a look at its efficiency in Q1:
Stable Q1 outcomes
Darden noticed its gross sales and earnings improve year-over-year within the first quarter of 2026. Internet gross sales elevated 10% to $3 billion, fueled by blended same-restaurant gross sales progress of 4.7%, in addition to contributions from the Chuy’s acquisition and new eating places. Adjusted earnings per share grew 12.6% to $1.97.
Sturdy section efficiency
Darden recorded gross sales progress throughout all its segments within the first quarter. It additionally noticed optimistic same-restaurant gross sales and visitors progress in all segments, barring Positive Eating. The Olive Backyard section noticed gross sales improve by 7.6% YoY, pushed by progress in same-restaurant gross sales and visitors. As talked about on the quarterly name, gross sales from the addition of 18 new eating places greater than offset gross sales loss from the refranchising of eight eating places in Canada.
Olive Backyard’s similar restaurant gross sales grew 5.9% in Q1. The section benefited from menu innovation that catered to company’ preferences for daring and flavorful choices. Its initiative of providing smaller parts at decrease costs to clients searching for worth has additionally garnered good response.
Olive Backyard is benefiting from the expansion of its first get together supply service, which is attracting youthful, prosperous clients who spend extra and like the comfort of supply over a dine-in expertise.
Complete gross sales at LongHorn Steakhouse elevated 8.8%, pushed by same-restaurant gross sales progress of 5.5% and the addition of 18 new eating places. Complete gross sales in Positive Eating elevated 2.7%, pushed by the addition of 5 new eating places, however same-restaurant gross sales dipped by 0.2%. These segments benefited from product innovation and menu choices at inexpensive value factors.
Gross sales within the Different Enterprise section elevated 22.5% with the acquisition of Chuy’s and same-restaurant gross sales progress of three.3%. Identical-restaurant gross sales have been pushed by sturdy performances from Yard Home, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen and Seasons 52. Specifically, Cheddar’s is benefiting from first get together supply, which drove sturdy off-premise gross sales progress of 15% in Q1.
Steerage hike
Darden up to date its steering for the complete yr of 2026 based mostly on its Q1 efficiency. The corporate raised its gross sales outlook to mirror the sturdy first quarter outcomes, acceleration in its new unit pipeline, and incremental pricing which may be wanted to offset commodities prices. It now expects whole gross sales to develop 7.5-8.5% and same-restaurant gross sales to develop 2.5-3.5% in FY2026. The outlook for adjusted EPS stays unchanged at $10.50-10.70. DRI plans to open approx. 65 new eating places in the course of the yr.
