---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000940944-24-000011"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DRI"
cik: "0000940944"
company_name: "DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC"
filed_at: "2024-03-21T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-04T11:11:37.117960+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Darden posts Q3 sales up 6.8% to $3.0B; adjusted EPS $2.62 (+12%); authorizes $1B buyback

## Summary
- Total sales $3.0B (+6.8% YoY); blended same-restaurant sales -1.0%; LongHorn +2.3%, Olive Garden -1.8%.
- Reported diluted EPS $2.60; adjusted diluted EPS $2.62 (+12% YoY), excluding $0.02 Ruth's Chris costs.
- Board declared quarterly dividend of $1.31/share, payable May 1, 2024 to holders of record Apr 10.
- Authorized new $1B share repurchase program, replacing prior authorization; repurchased $33M in Q3.
- FY2024 outlook: sales ~$11.4B, adjusted EPS $8.80-$8.90, same-restaurant sales growth 1.5%-2.0%.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000940944-24-000011
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DRI
- cik: 0000940944
- company_name: DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
- filed_at: 2024-03-21T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094424000011/0000940944-24-000011-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094424000011/dri-20240321.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-24-000011
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-24-000011.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-24-000011.txt

## Key facts
- Earnings Releases
  DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC reported fiscal 2024 results: EPS $8.80 to $8.90. Guidance reaffirmed.
  - Period: fiscal 2024
  - EPS: $8.80 to $8.90
  - Guidance: reaffirmed
  - Result: guidance update
  source text: 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
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094424000011/0000940944-24-000011-index.htm
- Earnings Releases
  DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC reported financial results for the third quarter ended February 25, 2024.
  - Period: the third quarter ended February 25, 2024
  - Result: reported results
  source text: Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) today reported its financial results for the third quarter ended February 25, 2024.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094424000011/0000940944-24-000011-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.