---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000940944-25-000028"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "DRI"
cik: "0000940944"
company_name: "DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC"
filed_at: "2025-06-20T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-19T02:24:35.681412+00:00"
event_type: "earnings"
sentiment: "positive"
materiality_score: 0.8
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Darden Q4 adj EPS $2.98 beats; dividend +7.1% to $1.50; $1B buyback; Olive Garden pres transition

## Summary
- Q4 total sales $3.3B (+10.6%); diluted adj EPS $2.98 (+12.5%), above expectations.
- FY2025 adj EPS $9.55 (+7.5%); FY2026 EPS outlook $10.50-$10.70 on 7-8% sales growth.
- Quarterly dividend increased 7.1% to $1.50/sh, payable Aug 1, record July 10.
- Board authorized new $1B share repurchase program; replaced prior authorization.
- Dan Kiernan (Olive Garden Pres) retiring Aug 31; John Wilkerson to succeed Sept 1.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000940944-25-000028
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: DRI
- cik: 0000940944
- company_name: DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
- filed_at: 2025-06-20T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: earnings
- sentiment: positive
- materiality_score: 0.8
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.8
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.02, 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094425000028/0000940944-25-000028-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094425000028/dri-20250613.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-25-000028
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-25-000028.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000940944-25-000028.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  John Wilkerson was appointed as President, Olive Garden at DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: President, Olive Garden
  source text: the Company’s Board of Directors approved the appointment of John Wilkerson, currently the Company’s President, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, to the office of President, Olive Garden, effective September 1, 2025.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094425000028/0000940944-25-000028-index.htm
- Executive change
  Dan Kiernan retired as President, Olive Garden at DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: President, Olive Garden
  source text: Dan Kiernan, the Company’s President, Olive Garden, notified the Company of his intent to retire.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000094094425000028/0000940944-25-000028-index.htm

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