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Darden Restaurants hits 52-week high as sales and cash flow surge

Darden reported Q4 2026 revenue of $3.72 billion, up 13.7% year-over-year, and grew free cash flow 195.4% year-over-year.

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Darden Restaurants reached a 52-week high in 2026, building on record performance across its restaurant brands as the consumer discretionary sector has lagged the broader S&P 500. The company, which operates Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, and other full-service concepts, said its stock has risen more than 18% this year.

MarketBeat Ratings points to brand investments and operational upgrades as key drivers. Olive Garden has modernized its image, expanded first-party delivery and online ordering, adopted streamlined kitchen technology to improve productivity, and refreshed its menu with lighter fare and more contemporary options.

In its Q4 2026 results, Darden reported revenue of $3.72 billion, a 13.7% year-over-year increase, and earnings per share growth of 37.1% year-over-year. Free cash flow grew 195.4% year-over-year, and same-restaurant sales at LongHorn Steakhouse increased 9.5% year-over-year.

For the full fiscal year 2026, Darden’s total sales surpassed $13 billion for the first time, with full-year same-restaurant sales up 7.2%. Yard House also expanded to 97 locations as of August 2026, while Olive Garden, LongHorn, and Yard House each posted positive comparable sales for a fifth consecutive year, according to MarketBeat Ratings.

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