Strong Financial Performance: Darden Restaurants reported a 10.6% increase in total sales to $3.3 billion in Q4, driven by a 4.6% same-restaurant sales growth. The company saw same-restaurant sales growth of 2% for fiscal 2025, outpacing the industry benchmark by 170 basis points. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share increased to $2.98, marking a 12.5% year-over-year growth.

Fiscal 2026 Guidance: For fiscal 2026, Darden forecasts total sales growth of 7% to 8%, including an expected 2% contribution from an additional week in the 53-week fiscal year. Same-restaurant sales are projected to grow by 2% to 3.5%, with new restaurant openings anticipated at 60 to 65 locations, reflecting a solid growth strategy.

Focus on Margin and Reinvestment: The updated long-term framework emphasizes a shift toward driving sales growth while maintaining rational margins. The company is targeting EBITDA of approximately $2.16 billion to $2.19 billion in fiscal 2026, with restaurant-level EBITDA expected to grow modestly. A greater emphasis will be placed on investment in growth opportunities.