Darden Q4 Sales +13.7% to $3.72B; Raises Dividend; $1.5B Buyback

Darden Restaurants reported strong fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full-year results, with Q4 sales up 13.7% to $3.72 billion and adjusted diluted EPS increasing 22.8% to $3.66. For the full fiscal year, sales rose 9.4% to $13.21 billion and adjusted diluted EPS grew 11.4% to $10.64. The company also announced an 8.0% increase in its quarterly dividend to $1.62 per share and authorized a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program. Additionally, Darden provided a positive fiscal 2027 outlook and approved amendments to its bylaws, including increasing the maximum number of shareholders for director nominations.