
Darden's Strong Earnings and Sales Surge Propel Growth
Darden Restaurants, the owner of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, reported better-than-expected earnings for the fiscal second quarter, with adjusted earnings per share of $1.84 and revenue of $2.73 billion. Sales rose 9.7% compared to the previous year, driven by the inclusion of Ruth's Chris Steak House locations and a same-restaurant sales increase of 2.8%. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse both saw positive same-restaurant sales growth, while fine dining sales declined. Darden also raised its annual guidance and updated its fiscal year 2024 outlook, projecting adjusted earnings per share of $8.75 to $8.90 and $11.5 billion in sales.

