# DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC

Summary updated: 2026-09-28T11:59:33.650089Z
Canonical: https://finbar.com/research/companies/darden-restaurants

## Overview

Darden Restaurants Inc. is a full-service restaurant company that owns and operates brands spanning casual and fine dining, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Its company-operated restaurants are in the United States and Canada, alongside restaurants run by franchisees and other partners. Darden states its mission is to achieve financial success through people who consistently deliver food, drinks and service in an inviting atmosphere, making guests loyal. [1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P68222157)[2](https://www.darden.com/our-company)

In fiscal 2025, Darden reported approximately $12.1 billion in sales and 197,924 team members. At year-end, its footprint comprised 2,159 company-operated restaurants, 154 franchised restaurants and four restaurants operated under contractual agreements. [3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T13105277)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T2942627)[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P68222157)
[1](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P68222157)[3](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T13105277)[4](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T2942627)[2](https://www.darden.com/our-company)

## Products & services

Darden’s menus span casual and fine dining. Olive Garden serves Italian dishes with imported Italian wines; its entrées include unlimited salad or soup and breadsticks. LongHorn Steakhouse offers steaks alongside chicken, salmon, shrimp, ribs, pork chops and burgers. Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen serves scratch-cooked American dishes, while Chuy’s offers Mexican and Tex-Mex items such as enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and burritos, with chips and salsa. [5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P66633286)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P120240535)[7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P19570419)[8](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P2897389)[9](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105403382)[10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P32778957)

Yard House combines an American menu of more than 100 items with more than 100 draft beers. Seasons 52 offers a seasonally changing grill menu with every item under 595 calories, plus wine and cocktails. Bahama Breeze serves Caribbean-inspired seafood, chicken, steaks and tropical cocktails. The Capital Burger offers burgers made with a proprietary beef blend, sandwiches, craft beer, wine and spiked shakes. [11](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P47129670)[12](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P74506514)[13](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P28797208)[14](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P54441141)

Darden’s fine-dining menus include steaks and New Orleans-inspired dishes at Ruth’s Chris, on-premises dry-aged steaks and private dining at The Capital Grille, and seasonal seafood and prime steaks at Eddie V’s. Guests can also order delivery through Darden restaurant channels, with Uber handling fulfillment; the service was available at nearly all Olive Garden locations and had begun rolling out at Cheddar’s in fiscal 2025. In that year, Olive Garden accounted for approximately 43% of Darden sales and LongHorn for approximately 25%, calculated from reported segment sales. [15](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P103664813)[16](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P48229757)[17](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12242182)[18](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P14329494)[19](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P78606172)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)
[5](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P66633286)[6](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P120240535)[7](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P19570419)[8](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P2897389)[9](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105403382)[10](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P32778957)[11](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P47129670)[12](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P74506514)[13](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P28797208)[14](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P54441141)[15](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P103664813)[16](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P48229757)[17](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12242182)[18](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P14329494)[19](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P78606172)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)

## Geographic presence

Darden Restaurants’ operating footprint is concentrated in the United States. As of May 25, 2025, it had 2,159 company-owned restaurants: 2,151 in the United States and eight in Canada. Four additional U.S. restaurants operated under contractual agreements. Darden’s principal executive offices are in Orlando, Florida. [21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105283765)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P59207617)

Its 154 franchised restaurants extended beyond that company-operated footprint. Of those, 85 were in the United States, a count that includes Puerto Rico and Guam; the others were in Latin America (36), Asia (22), Canada (6), the Middle East (3) and the Caribbean (2). Darden does not provide a geographic breakdown of revenue or employees in its fiscal 2025 annual filing, so restaurant counts should not be read as a breakdown of sales. [21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105283765)[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12967796)
[21](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105283765)[22](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P59207617)[23](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12967796)

## Business segments

Darden reports four business segments. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse each comprise their namesake restaurant chains. Fine Dining comprises Ruth’s Chris, The Capital Grille and Eddie V’s. Other Business includes Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chuy’s, Yard House, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and The Capital Burger, as well as royalties and other fees from franchise and contractually managed operations. [24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P4417292)

For fiscal 2025, Olive Garden accounted for approximately 43% of consolidated sales, LongHorn Steakhouse 25%, Fine Dining 11% and Other Business 21%. These percentages are based on reported segment sales of $5.21 billion, $3.03 billion, $1.30 billion and $2.53 billion, respectively, against consolidated sales of $12.08 billion. [20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)
[24](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P4417292)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)[20](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)

## Company history

Darden Restaurants traces its roots to 1938, when Bill Darden opened the Green Frog restaurant. He opened the first Red Lobster in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968, and General Mills acquired the chain in 1970. General Mills launched Olive Garden in 1982, then spun off its restaurant business as the independent Darden Restaurants in 1995. [2](https://www.darden.com/our-company)[25](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40704/000004070495000008/0000040704-95-000008.txt)

Darden broadened its portfolio by acquiring RARE Hospitality, owner of LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille, in 2007, followed by Yard House in 2012. In 2014, it sold Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital. It subsequently acquired Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen in 2017, Ruth’s Chris Steak House in 2023 and Chuy’s in 2024. [26](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2007/Darden-Restaurants-Announces-Successful-Completion-of-Cash-Tender-Offer-for-Rare-Hospitality-International-Inc-2007-10-1/default.aspx)[27](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2012/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Yard-House-USA-Inc-2012-8-29/)[28](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2014/Darden-Completes-Sale-Of-Red-Lobster-To-Golden-Gate-Capital-2014-7-28/)[29](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2017/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-Of-Cheddars-Scratch-Kitchen-2017-4-24/default.aspx)[30](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2023/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ruths-Hospitality-Group/default.aspx)[31](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2024/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Chuys-Holdings-Inc/default.aspx)
[2](https://www.darden.com/our-company)[25](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40704/000004070495000008/0000040704-95-000008.txt)[26](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2007/Darden-Restaurants-Announces-Successful-Completion-of-Cash-Tender-Offer-for-Rare-Hospitality-International-Inc-2007-10-1/default.aspx)[27](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2012/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Yard-House-USA-Inc-2012-8-29/)[28](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2014/Darden-Completes-Sale-Of-Red-Lobster-To-Golden-Gate-Capital-2014-7-28/)[29](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2017/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-Of-Cheddars-Scratch-Kitchen-2017-4-24/default.aspx)[30](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2023/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ruths-Hospitality-Group/default.aspx)[31](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2024/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Chuys-Holdings-Inc/default.aspx)[2](https://www.darden.com/our-company)[25](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40704/000004070495000008/0000040704-95-000008.txt)[26](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2007/Darden-Restaurants-Announces-Successful-Completion-of-Cash-Tender-Offer-for-Rare-Hospitality-International-Inc-2007-10-1/default.aspx)[27](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2012/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Yard-House-USA-Inc-2012-8-29/)[28](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2014/Darden-Completes-Sale-Of-Red-Lobster-To-Golden-Gate-Capital-2014-7-28/)[29](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2017/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-Of-Cheddars-Scratch-Kitchen-2017-4-24/default.aspx)[30](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2023/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ruths-Hospitality-Group/default.aspx)[31](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2024/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Chuys-Holdings-Inc/default.aspx)

## Sources

1. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P68222157)
2. [www.darden.com](https://www.darden.com/our-company)
3. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T13105277)
4. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T2942627)
5. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P66633286)
6. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P120240535)
7. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P19570419)
8. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P2897389)
9. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105403382)
10. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P32778957)
11. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P47129670)
12. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P74506514)
13. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P28797208)
14. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P54441141)
15. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P103664813)
16. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P48229757)
17. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12242182)
18. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P14329494)
19. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P78606172)
20. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=T500903)
21. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P105283765)
22. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P59207617)
23. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P12967796)
24. [DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC — Full financial report (2025 Y)](https://app.finbar.com/go?id=P4417292)
25. [www.sec.gov](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/40704/000004070495000008/0000040704-95-000008.txt)
26. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2007/Darden-Restaurants-Announces-Successful-Completion-of-Cash-Tender-Offer-for-Rare-Hospitality-International-Inc-2007-10-1/default.aspx)
27. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2012/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Yard-House-USA-Inc-2012-8-29/)
28. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2014/Darden-Completes-Sale-Of-Red-Lobster-To-Golden-Gate-Capital-2014-7-28/)
29. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2017/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-Of-Cheddars-Scratch-Kitchen-2017-4-24/default.aspx)
30. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2023/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Ruths-Hospitality-Group/default.aspx)
31. [investor.darden.com](https://investor.darden.com/news/news-details/2024/Darden-Restaurants-Completes-Acquisition-of-Chuys-Holdings-Inc/default.aspx)

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