Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 25
Darden Shares Fall 3% as Olive Garden Miss and 2027 Outlook Trails Street
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jun 25

Darden Shares Fall 3% as Olive Garden Miss and 2027 Outlook Trails Street

3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jun 25

Summary

  • Premarket shares dropped more than 3% after Darden posted a mixed fiscal Q4: adjusted EPS beat estimates at $3.66 versus $3.63, while revenue of $3.72 billion narrowly missed $3.73 billion.
  • Olive Garden drove the disappointment, with same-store sales up 2.4% against 3.2% expectations, and Darden's fine-dining segment rose 1.9%, missing the 3.1% forecast.
  • LongHorn Steakhouse offset some weakness with 9.5% same-store sales growth, helping companywide same-store sales rise 4.6%, above the 4.1% StreetAccount estimate.
  • For fiscal 2027, Darden forecast revenue of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and EPS of $11.10 to $11.35, both at or below Wall Street targets of $13.72 billion and $11.40.
  • Net income still climbed to $404.9 million from $303.8 million a year earlier, while Darden expects 2.5% to 3.5% same-store sales growth and 75 to 80 new openings next year.

Insights

Will Darden's plan to open 80 new restaurants prove too risky for its cautious 2027 forecast?
Is LongHorn's success masking deeper problems within Darden's other major restaurant brands?
Can Darden's tech upgrades overcome the economic headwinds hurting its casual dining customers?