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Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2024 Third Quarter Results; Declares Quarterly Dividend; Authorizes New $1 Billion Share Repurchase Program; And Updates Fiscal 2024 Financial Outlook

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Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) reported a 6.8% increase in total sales to $3.0 billion for Q3 2024, driven by new restaurant additions. Adjusted diluted net earnings per share rose by 12.0% to $2.62. The company repurchased $33 million of its common stock and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.31 per share. The updated fiscal 2024 outlook includes total sales of $11.4 billion, same-restaurant sales growth of 1.5% to 2.0%, and adjusted diluted net earnings per share of $8.80 to $8.90.
Positive
  • Total sales increased by 6.8% to $3.0 billion for Q3 2024.
  • Adjusted diluted net earnings per share rose by 12.0% to $2.62.
  • The company repurchased $33 million of its outstanding common stock.
  • A quarterly cash dividend of $1.31 per share was declared.
  • The updated fiscal 2024 outlook includes total sales of approximately $11.4 billion.
  • Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be between 1.5% to 2.0% for fiscal 2024.
  • Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations are projected to be between $8.80 to $8.90.
Negative
  • None.

Insights

The reported increase in total sales for Darden Restaurants, Inc., primarily driven by the expansion through the acquisition of Ruth's Chris Steak House and other net new restaurants, illustrates a strategic growth through diversification and market penetration. However, the blended same-restaurant sales decrease is indicative of potential challenges in Darden's core business, possibly reflecting shifts in consumer preferences or increased competition.

While the expansion contributes positively to the top line, the same-restaurant sales performance, particularly the decline in segments like Olive Garden and Fine Dining, warrants a closer look at the company's operational efficiency and customer retention strategies. The increase in adjusted diluted net earnings per share suggests effective cost management and possibly the realization of synergies from the Ruth's Chris acquisition, which may positively influence investor sentiment in the short term.

The declaration of a quarterly cash dividend and the authorization of a new share repurchase program reflect Darden's confidence in its financial stability and commitment to delivering shareholder value. The dividend payout, coupled with the share repurchase program, could be viewed favorably by investors as signals of a healthy cash flow position and management's belief in the company's intrinsic value.

However, investors should also consider the impact of the total capital spending and projected total inflation on future earnings. The updated financial outlook, with an expected growth in same-restaurant sales and a reasonably stable effective tax rate, provides a preliminary indication of the company's performance trajectory for the fiscal year, yet the exclusion of transaction and integration related costs from the adjusted earnings figures necessitates a cautious interpretation of the adjusted metrics.

The reported financial results and updated outlook from Darden Restaurants, Inc. need to be contextualized within the broader economic landscape. The total inflation figure of approximately 3.0% aligns with macroeconomic trends and indicates that Darden, like many others in the industry, is facing cost pressures. The company's ability to manage these pressures while still projecting same-restaurant sales growth suggests resilience and adaptability in its business model.

Moreover, the strategic expansion through acquisitions and new restaurant openings is an aggressive approach to growth that could yield long-term benefits, but it also exposes the company to risks associated with integrating new operations and maintaining brand standards across a larger portfolio. The effectiveness of these strategies in the face of economic headwinds will be important in determining Darden's market position and financial health in the long run.

ORLANDO, Fla., March 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended February 25, 2024.

Third Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights, Comparisons Versus Same Fiscal Quarter Last Year

  • Total sales increased 6.8% to $3.0 billion, driven by sales from the addition of 79 company-owned Ruth's Chris Steak House (Ruth's Chris) restaurants and 53 other net new restaurants, partially offset by a blended same-restaurant sales* decrease of (1.0)%
  • Same-restaurant sales:






Consolidated Darden*

(1.0) %







Olive Garden

(1.8) %







LongHorn Steakhouse

2.3 %







Fine Dining*

(2.3) %







Other Business

(2.6) %

  • Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.60
  • Excluding $0.02 of Ruth's Chris transaction and integration related costs, adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.62, an increase of 12.0%**
  • The Company repurchased $33 million of its outstanding common stock

* Will not include Ruth's Chris Steak House until they have been owned and operated by Darden for a 16-month period (Q2 Fiscal 2025)
** See the "Non-GAAP Information" below for more details

"I am proud of our teams and the way they performed this quarter," said Darden President & CEO Rick Cardenas. "Each one of our segments grew sales and profit in an operating environment that was tougher than we anticipated, and we continued to outperform industry same-restaurant sales and traffic.

"Looking ahead, our focus remains on controlling what we can control, leveraging and strengthening our competitive advantages, and executing our back-to-basics operating philosophy in order to effectively manage the business for the long-term."

Segment Performance
Segment profit represents sales, less costs for food and beverage, restaurant labor, restaurant expenses and marketing expenses. Segment profit excludes non-cash real estate related expenses. From the date of acquisition forward, sales and profits from Ruth's Chris company-owned restaurants are included within the Fine Dining segment. Royalties from Ruth's Chris franchise and managed locations reside in the Other Business segment.



Q3 Sales


Q3 Segment Profit

($ in millions)


2024


2023


2024


2023

Consolidated Darden


$2,974.8


$2,786.2





Olive Garden


$1,310.2


$1,301.2


$294.7


$293.0

LongHorn Steakhouse


$730.7


$695.5


$136.6


$121.2

Fine Dining


$372.9


$235.6


$81.4


$51.3

Other Business


$561.0


$553.9


$83.7


$77.8












YTD Sales


YTD Segment Profit

($ in millions)


2024


2023


2024


2023

Consolidated Darden


$8,432.7


$7,718.8





Olive Garden


$3,789.5


$3,608.6


$819.5


$728.0

LongHorn Steakhouse


$2,043.5


$1,900.6


$365.8


$298.8

Fine Dining


$964.4


$621.0


$177.7


$120.2

Other Business


$1,635.3


$1,588.6


$234.5


$209.1

Dividend Declared
Darden's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.31 per share on the Company's outstanding common stock. The dividend is payable on May 1, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2024.

Share Repurchase Program
During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 0.2 million shares of its common stock for a total of approximately $33 million. In addition, yesterday, Darden's Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $1 billion of its outstanding common stock. This repurchase program does not have an expiration and replaces the previously existing share repurchase authorization.

Updated Fiscal 2024 Financial Outlook
The Company updated its full year financial outlook for fiscal 2024 which includes Ruth's Chris operating results, but excludes approximately $55 million, pre-tax, of expected transaction and integration related costs associated with the acquisition. We will provide additional details during our investor conference call scheduled for this morning at 8:30 am ET.

  • Total sales of approximately $11.4 billion
  • Same-restaurant sales growth of 1.5% to 2.0%
  • New restaurant openings of 50 to 55
  • Total capital spending of approximately $600 million
  • Total inflation of approximately 3.0%
  • An effective tax rate between 12.0% and 12.5%
  • Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $8.80 to $8.90, excluding approximately $0.35, after-tax, of Ruth's Chris transaction and integration related costs*
  • Approximately 121.0 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding

* See the "Non-GAAP Information" below for more details

Investor Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and slide presentation today, Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 8:30 am ET to review its recent financial performance. The call will be webcast live at: https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=vq68gZsK. Please allow extra time prior to the call to visit the site and download any software required to listen to the webcast. Prior to the call, a slide presentation will be posted on the Investor Relations section of our website at: www.darden.com. For those who cannot access the Internet, please dial 1-877-407-9219. For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call.

About Darden
Darden is a restaurant company featuring a portfolio of differentiated brands that include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V's and Bahama Breeze. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

Information About Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this communication regarding our expected earnings performance and all other statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation statements concerning our future economic performance, are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are first made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date. We wish to caution investors not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ from those anticipated in the statements. The most significant of these uncertainties are described in Darden's Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K reports. These risks and uncertainties include: a failure to address cost pressures and a failure to effectively deliver cost management activities, economic factors and their impacts on the restaurant industry and general macroeconomic factors including unemployment, energy prices and interest rates, the inability to hire, train, reward and retain restaurant team members, a failure to develop and recruit effective leaders, labor and insurance costs, health concerns including food-related pandemics or outbreaks of flu or other viruses, food safety and food-borne illness concerns, technology failures including failure to maintain a secure cyber network, compliance with privacy and data protection laws and risks of failures or breaches of our data protection systems, the inability to successfully integrate Ruth's Chris Steak House operations into our business, risks relating to public policy changes and federal, state and local regulation of our business, intense competition, changing consumer preferences, an inability or failure to manage the accelerated impact of social media, a failure to execute innovative marketing and guest relationship tactics, climate change, adverse weather conditions and natural disasters, long-term and non-cancelable property leases, failure to execute a business continuity plan following a disaster, shortages or interruptions in the delivery of food and other products and services, failure to drive profitable sales growth, a lack of availability of suitable locations for new restaurants, higher-than-anticipated costs to open, close, relocate or remodel restaurants, risks of doing business with franchisees, licensees and vendors in foreign markets, volatility in the market value of derivatives, volatility leading to the inability to hedge equity compensation market exposure, failure to protect our intellectual property, litigation, unfavorable publicity, disruptions in the financial markets, impairment in the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets, changes in tax laws or unanticipated tax liabilities, failure of our internal controls over financial reporting and other factors and uncertainties discussed from time to time in reports filed by Darden with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Non-GAAP Information
The information in this press release includes financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), such as adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations. The Company's management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance. The Company believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's businesses. These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are included in this release.

(Analysts) Kevin Kalicak, (407) 245-5870; (Media) Rich Jeffers, (407) 245-4189

 

Fiscal Q3 Reported to Adjusted Earnings Reconciliation


Q3 2024


Q3 2023

$ in millions, except per share amounts

Earnings
Before
Income
Tax

Income
Tax
Expense

Net
Earnings

Diluted
Net
Earnings
Per
Share


Earnings
Before
Income
Tax

Income
Tax
Expense

Net
Earnings

Diluted
Net
Earnings
Per
Share

Reported Earnings from Continuing Operations

$  350.9

$    37.5

$  313.4

$    2.60


$  330.3

$    43.5

$  286.8

$    2.34

% Change vs Prior Year




11.1 %






Adjustments:










Ruth's Chris transaction and integration related costs

6.8

4.8

2.0

0.02


$        —

Adjusted Earnings from Continuing Operations

$  357.7

$    42.3

$  315.4

$    2.62


$  330.3

$    43.5

$  286.8

$    2.34

% Change vs Prior Year




12.0 %






 

Reconciliation of Fiscal 2024 Reported to Adjusted Earnings Outlook


2024

Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations

$8.45

to

$8.55

Ruth's Chris transaction and integration related costs

0.45


0.45

Income tax expense

(0.10)


(0.10)

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations

$8.80

to

$8.90

 

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. 
NUMBER OF COMPANY-OWNED RESTAURANTS



2/25/24

2/26/23

Olive Garden

917

893

LongHorn Steakhouse

572

554

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

181

179

Yard House

88

86

Ruth's Chris Steak House

79

The Capital Grille

64

61

Seasons 52

44

43

Bahama Breeze

43

42

Eddie V's

30

29

The Capital Burger

4

3

Darden Continuing Operations

2,022

1,890

 

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended


Nine Months Ended


2/25/2024


2/26/2023


2/25/2024


2/26/2023

Sales

$       2,974.8


$       2,786.2


$       8,432.7


$       7,718.8

Costs and expenses:








Food and beverage

920.2


887.0


2,617.0


2,500.6

Restaurant labor

937.1


874.2


2,693.3


2,476.5

Restaurant expenses

471.9


440.3


1,368.9


1,260.8

Marketing expenses

31.7


28.2


107.2


89.6

General and administrative expenses

108.2


107.0


376.3


285.7

Depreciation and amortization

117.9


98.3


340.2


290.7

Impairments and disposal of assets, net

0.4


1.3


11.0


(12.4)

Total operating costs and expenses

$       2,587.4


$       2,436.3


$       7,513.9


$       6,891.5

Operating income

387.4


349.9


918.8


827.3

Interest, net

36.5


19.6


103.3


59.2

Earnings before income taxes

350.9


330.3


815.5


768.1

Income tax expense

37.5


43.5


95.0


100.2

Earnings from continuing operations

$          313.4


$          286.8


$          720.5


$          667.9

Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $0.6,
$0.2, 1.0, and $0.5 respectively

(0.5)


(0.2)


(1.0)


(1.1)

Net earnings

$          312.9


$          286.6


$          719.5


$          666.8

Basic net earnings per share:








Earnings from continuing operations

$            2.62


$            2.36


$            6.00


$            5.47

Losses from discontinued operations



(0.01)


(0.01)

Net earnings

$            2.62


$            2.36


$            5.99


$            5.46

Diluted net earnings per share:








Earnings from continuing operations

$            2.60


$            2.34


$            5.95


$            5.42

Losses from discontinued operations




(0.01)

Net earnings

$            2.60


$            2.34


$            5.95


$            5.41

Average number of common shares outstanding:








Basic

119.4


121.4


120.1


122.2

Diluted

120.4


122.5


121.0


123.2

 

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)



2/25/2024


5/28/2023


(Unaudited)



ASSETS




Current assets:




Cash and cash equivalents

$              243.9


$              367.8

Receivables, net

72.2


80.2

Inventories

298.2


287.9

Prepaid income taxes

122.6


107.3

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

139.5


154.5

Total current assets

$              876.4


$              997.7

Land, buildings and equipment, net

4,101.9


3,725.1

Operating lease right-of-use assets

3,494.3


3,373.9

Goodwill

1,397.8


1,037.4

Trademarks

1,148.0


806.3

Other assets

339.8


301.1

Total assets

$        11,358.2


$        10,241.5

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY




Current liabilities:




Accounts payable

$              406.0


$              426.2

Short-term debt

158.7


Accrued payroll

195.6


173.0

Accrued income taxes

8.5


7.8

Other accrued taxes

69.0


65.9

Unearned revenues

626.0


512.0

Other current liabilities

808.6


752.5

Total current liabilities

$          2,272.4


$          1,937.4

Long-term debt

1,372.8


884.9

Deferred income taxes

240.9


142.2

Operating lease liabilities - non-current

3,774.4


3,667.6

Other liabilities

1,516.8


1,407.9

Total liabilities

$          9,177.3


$          8,040.0

Stockholders' equity:




Common stock and surplus

$          2,252.8


$          2,230.8

Retained earnings (deficit)

(101.6)


(32.5)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

29.7


3.2

Total stockholders' equity

$          2,180.9


$          2,201.5

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$        11,358.2


$        10,241.5

 

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited) 



Nine Months Ended


2/25/2024


2/26/2023

Cash flows—operating activities




Net earnings

$              719.5


$              666.8

Losses from discontinued operations, net of tax

1.0


1.1

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings from continuing operations to cash flows:




Depreciation and amortization

340.2


290.7

Impairments and disposal of assets, net

11.0


(12.4)

Stock-based compensation expense

57.8


52.6

Change in current assets and liabilities and other, net

66.2


141.7

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

$          1,195.7


$          1,140.5

Cash flows—investing activities




Purchases of land, buildings and equipment

(460.8)


(410.5)

Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment

2.0


21.4

Cash used in business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(699.9)


Purchases of capitalized software and changes in other assets, net

(17.3)


(20.4)

Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations

$         (1,176.0)


$            (409.5)

Cash flows—financing activities




Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

37.0


18.3

Dividends paid

(472.1)


(443.3)

Repurchases of common stock

(356.6)


(423.5)

Proceeds from short-term debt, net

158.7


Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net

500.0


Principal payments on finance leases, net

(14.0)


(14.2)

Payments of debt issuance costs

(11.5)


Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations

$            (158.5)


$            (862.7)

Cash flows—discontinued operations




Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operations

(9.3)


(5.5)

Net cash used in discontinued operations

$                (9.3)


$                (5.5)





Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(148.1)


(137.2)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash - beginning of period

416.2


472.1

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash - end of period

$              268.1


$              334.9


Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash:

2/25/2024


2/26/2023

Cash and cash equivalents

$              243.9


$              275.3

Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets

24.2


59.6

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows

$              268.1


$              334.9

 

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darden-restaurants-reports-fiscal-2024-third-quarter-results-declares-quarterly-dividend-authorizes-new-1-billion-share-repurchase-program-and-updates-fiscal-2024-financial-outlook-302095168.html

SOURCE Darden Restaurants, Inc.: Financial

FAQ

What was the total sales increase reported by Darden Restaurants, Inc. for Q3 2024?

Total sales increased by 6.8% to $3.0 billion for Q3 2024.

By how much did the adjusted diluted net earnings per share increase for Darden Restaurants, Inc. in Q3 2024?

The adjusted diluted net earnings per share rose by 12.0% to $2.62.

What was the quarterly cash dividend declared per share by Darden Restaurants, Inc. for Q3 2024?

A quarterly cash dividend of $1.31 per share was declared.

What is the updated fiscal 2024 outlook for Darden Restaurants, Inc. in terms of total sales?

The updated fiscal 2024 outlook includes total sales of approximately $11.4 billion.

What is the expected same-restaurant sales growth for Darden Restaurants, Inc. for fiscal 2024?

Same-restaurant sales growth is expected to be between 1.5% to 2.0% for fiscal 2024.

What is the projected range for adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations for Darden Restaurants, Inc. for fiscal 2024?

Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations are projected to be between $8.80 to $8.90.

Darden Restaurants, Inc.

NYSE:DRI

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Restaurants
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ORLANDO