Darden Restaurants' Sales Surge 6%: Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse Drive Growth

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) reported a robust 6.4% increase in total sales for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, driven by a 4% increase in same-restaurant sales and the addition of 47 net new restaurants. The company's success can be attributed to its "Back-to-Basics Operating Philosophy" and "Four Competitive Advantages," which have enabled its brands to compete more effectively and provide greater value to guests. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, in particular, contributed significantly to this growth, with same-restaurant sales increases of 4.4% and 7.1%, respectively.

The company's "Back-to-Basics Operating Philosophy" has been instrumental in driving strong execution in its restaurants. This strategy, implemented by CEO Rick Cardenas, focuses on leveraging Darden's competitive advantages of scale, data insights, strategic planning, and a results-oriented culture. This approach has enabled Darden's brands to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market conditions, contributing to the sustained growth of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.

Darden's "Four Competitive Advantages" have also played a significant role in driving same-restaurant sales increases. The company's "Significant Scale" allows for more effective competition, while "Extensive Data & Insights" enables Darden to understand and cater to guest preferences better. A "Results-Oriented Culture" fosters continuous improvement, and the "Back-to-Basics Operating Philosophy" enhances restaurant execution. These advantages have enabled Darden's brands to compete more effectively and provide greater value to guests, as reflected in the strong same-restaurant sales growth.



Darden's data-driven insights and strategic planning have been key to this success. The company's ability to optimize restaurant operations, enhance guest experiences, and drive sales growth at Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse can be seen in the following table:

| Segment | Q4 Sales (2023) | Q4 Segment Profit (2023) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Consolidated Darden | $2,769.0 | $557.1 |
| Olive Garden | $1,269.2 | $297.8 |
| LongHorn Steakhouse | $711.7 | $132.1 |
| Fine Dining | $209.8 | $38.3 |
| Other Business | $578.3 | $91.5 |

Darden Restaurants' strong business model generated significant cash flows in fiscal 2023, despite the difficult inflationary environment. The company returned more than $1 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. For fiscal 2024, Darden expects total sales of $11.5 to $11.6 billion, same-restaurant sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, and new restaurant openings of approximately 50.

In conclusion, Darden Restaurants' sales rise of 6% in Q4 2023, fueled by Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, demonstrates the company's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Darden's "Back-to-Basics Operating Philosophy" and "Four Competitive Advantages" have enabled its brands to compete more effectively and provide greater value to guests, driving strong same-restaurant sales growth. As the company continues to invest in its businesses and return value to shareholders, investors can expect Darden to maintain its momentum in the coming years.