Darden Restaurants Lifts FY25 Sales Forecast After Q2 Beats Market; Stock Climbs

(RTTNews) - Shares of Darden Restaurants Inc. were gaining more than 9 percent in the pre-market activity on the NYSE after the company maintained its fiscal 2025 earnings view, and lifted sales forecast to reflect the recently acquired Chuy's operating results. In its second quarter, profit and sales increased and beat market estimates.

Darden President & CEO Rick Cardenas said, "We had a strong quarter and I am pleased that our four largest brands - Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen - generated positive same-restaurant sales, as did three of our four business segments. I continue to believe in the power of our strategy and our brands' ability to compete effectively regardless of the environment."

Further, Darden's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.40 per share, payable on February 3 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 10.

The revised outlook now includes Chuy's operating results, but excludes approximately $47 million, pre-tax, of expected transaction and integration related costs associated with the acquisition.

For fiscal 2025, Darden still expects earnings per share from continuing operations of $9.40 to $9.60, excluding Chuy's acquisition and integration related costs.

Analysts on average expect the company to earn $9.45 per share, according to figures compiled by Thomson Reuters. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Total sales are now expected to be approximately $12.1 billion, higher than previously expected sales of $11.8 to $11.9 billion. The Street is looking for sales of $11.96 billion.

Same-restaurant sales growth is now expected to be around 1.5 percent, compared to previous growth view of 1.0 percent to 2.0 percent.

Darden now expects new restaurant openings of 50 to 55, up from the 45 to 50 openings expected earlier.

In its second quarter, Darden's bottom line totaled $215.7 million or $1.82 per share, compared to $212.3 million, or $1.76 per share last year. Adjusted earnings were $240.0 million or $2.03 per share for the period, compared to $221.9 million or $1.84 per share a year ago. Analysts had expected the company to earn $2.02 per share.

The company's revenue for the quarter rose 6 percent to $2.890 billion from $2.727 billion last year. Analysts expected sales of $2.87 billion for the quarter. Blended same-restaurant sales increased 2.4 percent.

The sales growth also reflects sales from the addition of 103 Chuy's restaurants and 39 net new restaurants.

On the NYSE, Darden shares closed Wednesday's trading at $159.87, down 3.4 percent. In pre-market activity, the shares were trading 9.3 percent higher at $174.70.

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