Compared to Estimates, Darden Restaurants (DRI) Q2 Earnings: A Look at Key Metrics

For the quarter ended November 2025, Darden Restaurants (DRI) reported revenue of $3.1 billion, up 7.3% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $2.08, compared to $2.03 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +0.6% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.08 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $2.09, the EPS surprise was -0.48%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine their next move, some key metrics always offer a more accurate picture of a company's financial health.As these metrics influence top- and bottom-line performance, comparing them to the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated helps investors project a stock's price performance more accurately.Here is how Darden Restaurants performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:Company-owned restaurants - Total: 2,182 versus 2,180 estimated by eight analysts on average.Same-restaurant sales - LongHorn Steakhouse - YoY change: 5.9% versus the eight-analyst average estimate of 3.9%.Same-restaurant sales - Olive Garden - YoY change: 4.7% versus the eight-analyst average estimate of 3.8%.Same-restaurant sales - Consolidated - YoY change: 4.3% compared to the 3% average estimate based on eight analysts.Same-restaurant sales - Other Business - YoY change: 3.1% versus 1.9% estimated by seven analysts on average.Same-restaurant sales - Fine Dining - YoY change: 0.8% versus -0.1% estimated by seven analysts on average.Company-owned restaurants - LongHorn Steakhouse: 601 versus 600 estimated by seven analysts on average.Company-owned restaurants - Olive Garden: 936 versus 938 estimated by seven analysts on average.Sales- Olive Garden: $1.36 billion compared to the $1.36 billion average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +5.4% year over year.Sales- Other Business: $647.3 million versus the five-analyst average estimate of $657.61 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +11.3%.Sales- Fine Dining: $316.2 million compared to the $317.32 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +3.3% year over year.Sales- LongHorn Steakhouse: $775.9 million compared to the $759.23 million average estimate based on five analysts. The reported number represents a change of +9.3% year over year.View all Key Company Metrics for Darden Restaurants here>>>Shares of Darden Restaurants have returned +11.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.9% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), indicating that it could perform in line with the broader market in the near term.Zacks Naming Top 10 Stocks for 2026Want to be tipped off early to our 10 top picks for the entirety of 2026? History suggests their performance could be sensational.From 2012 (when our Director of Research Sheraz Mian assumed responsibility for the portfolio) through November, 2025, the Zacks Top 10 Stocks gained +2,530.8%, more than QUADRUPLING the S&P 500’s +570.3%.Now Sheraz is combing through 4,400 companies to handpick the best 10 tickers to buy and hold in 2026. Don’t miss your chance to get in on these stocks when they’re released on January 5. Be First to New Top 10 Stocks >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI): Free Stock Analysis ReportThis article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).Zacks Investment ResearchWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Zacks