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Darden Restaurants Inc (DRI)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
06/27/2025: DRI (3-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY since 31 days. Profits (4.20%). Updated daily EoD!
Year Target Price $206.72
Year Target Price $206.72
14 | Strong Buy |
4 | Buy |
11 | Hold |
0 | Under performing |
2 | Sell |
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 37.04% | Avg. Invested days 62 | Today’s Advisory Strong Buy |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 25.29B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 24.34 | 1Y Target Price 229.61 |
Price to earnings Ratio 24.34 | 1Y Target Price 229.61 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) - | Beta 0.74 | 52 Weeks Range 132.67 - 228.27 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 132.67 - 228.27 | Updated Date 06/29/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.78% | Basic EPS (TTM) 8.88 |
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-06-20 | When Before Market | Estimate 2.97 | Actual 2.98 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 8.69% | Operating Margin (TTM) 13.17% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.38% | Return on Equity (TTM) 46.16% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 24.34 | Forward PE 20.2 | Enterprise Value 30998682547 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.09 |
Enterprise Value 30998682547 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.09 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.57 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.88 | Shares Outstanding 117026000 | Shares Floating 116655020 |
Shares Outstanding 117026000 | Shares Floating 116655020 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.4 | Percent Institutions 88.61 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 3.9 | Target Price 206.72 | Buy 4 | Strong Buy 14 |
Buy 4 | Strong Buy 14 | ||
Hold 11 | Sell - | Strong Sell 2 | |
Strong Sell 2 |
Upturn AI SWOT
Darden Restaurants Inc

Company Overview
History and Background
Darden Restaurants, Inc. was founded in 1938 as Green Frog, a single restaurant. In 1968, Bill Darden opened the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida. General Mills acquired Red Lobster in 1970. Darden Restaurants was spun off from General Mills in 1995.
Core Business Areas
- Olive Garden: Italian-American casual dining restaurant chain, offering a variety of pasta dishes, salads, and soups. It is Darden's largest brand by revenue.
- LongHorn Steakhouse: Steakhouse chain specializing in steaks, ribs, and other grilled dishes.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: Casual dining chain known for its made-from-scratch menu items and affordable prices.
- Yard House: Upscale sports bar chain offering a wide selection of craft beers and a diverse menu.
- Seasons 52: Fresh Grill and Wine Bar focused on seasonal ingredients and healthier menu options.
- Bahama Breeze: Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain serving tropical drinks and island-inspired cuisine.
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood: Upscale seafood restaurant specializing in fresh seafood and prime steaks.
- The Capital Grille: Fine dining steakhouse known for its high-quality steaks, extensive wine list, and sophisticated ambiance.
Leadership and Structure
Darden Restaurants is led by CEO Rick Cardenas. The company operates with a divisional structure, with each brand having its own management team. The corporate headquarters provides support functions such as finance, marketing, and supply chain management.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Olive Garden: Offers a wide array of Italian-American dishes, including pasta, salads, soups, and breadsticks. It is Darden's largest revenue generator. Competitors: Maggiano's Little Italy, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Brio Italian Mediterranean.
- LongHorn Steakhouse: Offers a variety of steaks, ribs, and other grilled dishes. Competitors: Outback Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, Logan's Roadhouse.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: Provides made-from-scratch meals at reasonable prices. Competitors: Applebee's, Chili's, TGI Fridays.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The restaurant industry is highly competitive and subject to changing consumer preferences, economic conditions, and demographic trends. The industry is experiencing growth in off-premise dining, including delivery and takeout. Rising food and labor costs are significant challenges.
Positioning
Darden Restaurants is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the US, with a diverse portfolio of brands targeting different customer segments. Its competitive advantages include scale, brand recognition, and a strong supply chain.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The US restaurant industry is estimated to be worth over $900 billion. Darden is positioned to capture a significant portion of this market through its diverse brand portfolio and operational efficiencies.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Diversified brand portfolio
- Strong brand recognition
- Large scale and purchasing power
- Experienced management team
- Proven operating model
Weaknesses
- Exposure to commodity price fluctuations
- Labor cost pressures
- Dependence on the US market
- Potential for brand cannibalization
- Sensitivity to economic downturns
Opportunities
- Expansion of off-premise dining options
- Growth in international markets
- Acquisition of complementary brands
- Menu innovation and development
- Leveraging technology to improve efficiency and customer experience
Threats
- Increased competition from other restaurant chains
- Changing consumer preferences
- Rising food and labor costs
- Economic downturns
- Pandemics or other health crises
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- TXRH
- DIN
- CAKE
- BLMN
- RUTH
Competitive Landscape
Darden possesses a diverse brand portfolio, giving it a broad reach, but faces strong competition in each segment. Competitors often focus on specific niches or offer lower price points. Darden's scale gives it a cost advantage, but also makes it less nimble than smaller players.
Major Acquisitions
Yard House
- Year: 2012
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 585
- Strategic Rationale: Expanded Darden's presence in the upscale casual dining segment and added a popular brand with a focus on craft beer.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Examine Darden Restaurants' revenue growth, same-store sales growth, and store expansion over the past several years. Obtain this data from their annual reports and investor presentations.
Future Projections: Gather analyst estimates for Darden Restaurants' future revenue growth, earnings growth, and store expansion. These estimates are available from financial news outlets and investment research firms.
Recent Initiatives: Identify recent strategic initiatives undertaken by Darden Restaurants, such as menu innovations, technology investments, or acquisitions. Refer to their press releases and investor communications.
Summary
Darden Restaurants is a large, established company with a diversified portfolio of brands. It is benefitting from its scale and strong brand recognition, allowing it to navigate the competitive restaurant industry. However, it faces challenges such as rising costs and changing consumer preferences. Strategic menu innovation and efficient cost management will be crucial for continued success.
Peer Comparison
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Darden Restaurants Investor Relations
- SEC Filings
- Financial News Outlets
- Company Website
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Market share data is approximate and may vary based on source. Financial data should be verified with official company filings.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Darden Restaurants Inc
Exchange NYSE | Headquaters Orlando, FL, United States | ||
IPO Launch date 1995-05-05 | CEO, President & Director Mr. Ricardo Cardenas CPA | ||
Sector Consumer Cyclical | Industry Restaurants | Full time employees - | Website https://www.darden.com |
Full time employees - | Website https://www.darden.com |
Darden Restaurants, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada. It operates under Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, and Capital Burger brand names. Darden Restaurants, Inc. was founded in 1968 and is based in Orlando, Florida.
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