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Darden Restaurants Inc (DRI)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
03/26/2025: DRI (3-star) is a STRONG-BUY. BUY since 1 days. Profits (0.00%). Updated daily EoD!
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit 46.13% | Avg. Invested days 65 | 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 24.03B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 23.1 | 1Y Target Price 210.57 |
Price to earnings Ratio 23.1 | 1Y Target Price 210.57 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1391213 | Beta 1.27 | 52 Weeks Range 133.62 - 211.00 | Updated Date 03/30/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 133.62 - 211.00 | Updated Date 03/30/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.73% | Basic EPS (TTM) 8.88 |
Analyzing Revenue: Products, Geography and Growth
Revenue by Products
Product revenue - Year on Year
Earnings Date
Report Date 2025-03-19 | When Before Market | Estimate 2.7883 | Actual 2.8 |
Profitability
Profit Margin 8.96% | Operating Margin (TTM) 13.25% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.2% | Return on Equity (TTM) 48.22% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 23.1 | Forward PE 19.12 | Enterprise Value 29885320212 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.04 |
Enterprise Value 29885320212 | Price to Sales(TTM) 2.04 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 2.54 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 15.98 | Shares Outstanding 117147000 | Shares Floating 116553056 |
Shares Outstanding 117147000 | Shares Floating 116553056 | ||
Percent Insiders 0.42 | Percent Institutions 97.32 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 3.91 | Target Price 195.79 | Buy 5 | Strong Buy 14 |
Buy 5 | 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 by Bill Darden as The Green Frog. It evolved and expanded, becoming General Mills Restaurant Group in 1970. In 1995, it was spun off as an independent, publicly traded company, Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Core Business Areas
- Olive Garden: A full-service Italian-themed restaurant chain, offering a variety of pasta dishes, soups, salads, and breadsticks. It's Darden's largest brand by revenue.
- LongHorn Steakhouse: A full-service steakhouse chain known for its grilled steaks, burgers, and other American cuisine.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: Offers made-from-scratch meals at a value price point. Focused on classic American dishes.
- Yard House: An upscale, casual sports bar and grill offering a wide selection of craft beers and American cuisine.
- The Capital Grille: An upscale steakhouse chain known for its elegant atmosphere, prime steaks, and extensive wine list.
- Eddie V's Prime Seafood: An upscale seafood restaurant chain specializing in fresh seafood and premium steaks with live jazz music.
- Seasons 52: A fresh grill and wine bar restaurant that offers a seasonally inspired menu using fresh ingredients. Focuses on healthier options.
Leadership and Structure
Rick Cardenas is the current President and CEO. The company operates with a corporate structure overseeing various brand divisions.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Olive Garden: Italian-American cuisine. Accounts for a significant portion of Darden's revenue. Competitors include chains like Maggiano's Little Italy (EAT) and Carrabba's Italian Grill. No precise Olive Garden market share is publicly available.
- LongHorn Steakhouse: Steaks, burgers, and other American cuisine. Competitors include Texas Roadhouse (TXRH) and Outback Steakhouse. No precise LongHorn market share is publicly available.
- Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen: American cuisine at a value price. Competitors include Cracker Barrel (CBRL) and Applebee's. No precise Cheddar's market share is publicly available.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The restaurant industry is highly competitive and subject to consumer discretionary spending. Trends include increased focus on off-premise dining, technology integration (online ordering, delivery), and menu innovation.
Positioning
Darden operates in the full-service restaurant segment, catering to a broad range of demographics and price points. It has a diversified portfolio of brands to mitigate risk and capture different market segments.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The full-service restaurant TAM in the US is estimated at several hundred billion dollars annually. Darden is well-positioned, capturing a significant portion of the market through its diversified brand portfolio.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Diversified brand portfolio
- Strong brand recognition
- Significant scale and purchasing power
- Experienced management team
- Established infrastructure
Weaknesses
- Dependence on macroeconomic conditions
- High labor costs
- Vulnerability to commodity price fluctuations
- Potential for brand cannibalization
Opportunities
- Expansion of off-premise dining options
- Menu innovation and new product development
- Geographic expansion
- Leveraging technology to improve efficiency
- Acquisition of complementary brands
Threats
- Increased competition
- Changing consumer preferences
- Economic downturns
- Rising food costs
- Labor shortages
- Government Regulations
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- TXRH
- CBRL
- EAT
- BLMN
Competitive Landscape
Darden's advantage lies in its diversified portfolio and scale. Competitors may have strengths in specific niches or geographic regions.
Major Acquisitions
Ruth's Hospitality Group
- Year: 2023
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 715
- Strategic Rationale: Adds a luxury steakhouse brand (Ruth's Chris) to Darden's portfolio, expanding its presence in the high-end dining segment.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: Darden has grown organically through same-store sales growth and through acquisitions.
Future Projections: Analyst estimates project continued growth for Darden, driven by its diversified brand portfolio and strategic initiatives. Growth figures will be in SEC filings and Wall Street reports.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include focusing on off-premise dining, technology enhancements, and menu innovation.
Summary
Darden Restaurants boasts a diversified brand portfolio and significant scale, positioning it as a leader in the full-service restaurant industry. Strong brand recognition and a history of dividend payments enhance its appeal to investors. However, it faces threats from rising costs and changing consumer preferences. Continued focus on innovation and efficient operations will be crucial for future success.
Similar Companies
- TXRH
- CBRL
- EAT
- BLMN
- YUM
- MCD
- QSR
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company SEC Filings (10-K, 10-Q)
- Yahoo Finance
- Google Finance
- Analyst Reports
- Company Website
- Restaurant Business Online
Disclaimers:
The information provided is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investment decisions should be made based on individual due diligence and consultation with a qualified financial advisor. Market Share Percentages are estimated based on limited public data.
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 - | ||
Sector Consumer Cyclical | Industry Restaurants | Full time employees 191105 | Website https://www.darden.com |
Full time employees 191105 | 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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