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Cramer backs Brinker over Darden ahead of Darden earnings
Darden is set to report Sept. 24, with fiscal 2027 sales guidance of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and diluted EPS from continuing operations of $11.10 to $11.35.
Jim Cramer said he prefers Brinker International over Darden Restaurants heading into Darden’s next earnings report, while he praised Darden’s Olive Garden business on a recent episode of Mad Money, according to Yahoo Finance.
Darden generated $13.21 billion in fiscal 2026 sales, up 9.4%, and consolidated same-restaurant sales rose 4.5%. Olive Garden’s comparable sales increased 4.0% for the year but slowed to 2.4% in the fourth quarter, compared with 9.5% growth at LongHorn Steakhouse.
Looking ahead, Darden expects fiscal 2027 sales of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and diluted EPS from continuing operations of $11.10 to $11.35, with its Sept. 24 report providing the first quarterly update against that outlook.
Brinker’s latest results showed stronger comparable-sales growth, with fiscal 2026 company comparable sales up 8.1% and Chili’s up 9.2%. Brinker expects fiscal 2027 revenue of $6.15 billion to $6.27 billion and adjusted EPS of $12.60 to $13.40, and it said fourth-quarter Chili’s comparable-sales growth reflected menu pricing and higher traffic as operating margin rose to 18.6% from 18.2% a year earlier.