Darden Restaurants Q1 sales rise 1.0%, adjusted EPS falls 1.7%; outlook kept
Darden Restaurants reported fiscal 2025 first-quarter sales of $2.8 billion, up 1.0%, but adjusted diluted earnings per share fell 1.7% to $1.75, while same-restaurant sales declined 1.1%. The company reiterated its full-year fiscal 2025 outlook of $9.40 to $9.60 in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding pending Chuy's acquisition costs, and declared a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share.
- Total sales rose 1.0% to $2.8 billion, helped by 42 net new restaurants; same-restaurant sales fell 1.1%.
- Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.74, versus $1.60 a year earlier; adjusted EPS was $1.75, down 1.7%.
- The company repurchased $172 million of stock and had $743 million remaining under a $1 billion authorization.
- Quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share is payable November 1, 2024, to holders of record on October 10, 2024.