Darden Restaurants reported first-quarter fiscal 2027 sales of $3.2 billion, up 5.1% from $3.04 billion a year earlier. Same-restaurant sales rose 3.1% on a fiscal-calendar basis and 3.2% on a comparable-calendar basis.
By brand, Olive Garden posted quarterly sales of $1.33 billion, up from $1.30 billion, while same-restaurant sales increased 1.1% on a fiscal-calendar basis and 1.0% on a comparable-calendar basis. LongHorn Steakhouse sales climbed to $860.9 million from $776.4 million, with same-restaurant sales up 6.2% and 6.8%, respectively. Fine dining sales increased to $304.2 million from $286.5 million, with same-restaurant sales up 1.6% and 1.0%. Other business sales rose to $705.4 million from $680.7 million, and same-restaurant sales increased 13.8% and 4.5%.
Segment profit also rose across the portfolio. Olive Garden segment profit increased to $270.8 million from $267.6 million. LongHorn Steakhouse segment profit jumped to $154.6 million from $134.9 million. Fine dining segment profit edged up to $39.6 million from $38.7 million, and other business segment profit rose to $111.5 million from $109.3 million.
Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.05, up 4.1% from last year’s adjusted figure. Darden repurchased about 1.1 million shares for $222.3 million during the quarter, and had $1.3 billion remaining under its $1.5 billion repurchase authorization at quarter-end.
The company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.62 per share, payable Nov. 2, 2026, to shareholders of record Oct. 9, 2026.
For fiscal 2027, Darden reaffirmed its full-year outlook and continued to guide to diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $11.10 to $11.35. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares 0.07% to a price of $213.69. Check out the company's full 8-K submission here.
