Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) Quarterly Earnings Preview

• Analysts predict a 13.7% increase in EPS year-over-year, reflecting strong growth.
• Revenue is expected to rise by 10.2% to $3.04 billion, indicating robust performance.
• Despite challenges, such as beef inflation, Darden's strategic resilience is key to navigating economic uncertainties.

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) is a prominent player in the restaurant industry, owning popular brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. As the company prepares to release its quarterly earnings on September 18, 2025, Wall Street analysts estimate an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.99 and revenue of approximately $3.04 billion.

Analysts expect Darden to report an EPS of $2.01, up from $1.75 in the same period last year, as highlighted by the second paragraph. This reflects a 13.7% increase, showcasing the company's growth. Revenue is projected to rise by 10.2% to $3.04 billion, compared to $2.76 billion a year ago. These figures indicate strong performance despite challenges like beef inflation affecting steakhouse margins.

Darden's shares recently experienced a slight decline of 0.6%, trading at $210.83, even after exceeding fourth-quarter expectations. Keybanc analyst Eric Gonzalez maintained an Overweight rating for Darden, adjusting the price target from $245 to $240. This reflects cautious optimism amid economic challenges and high expectations for the upcoming earnings report.

Darden's financial metrics provide insights into its market valuation. With a P/E ratio of 23.44 and a price-to-sales ratio of 2.04, the market values its earnings and revenue favorably. However, the debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57 suggests a higher level of debt, which could impact its financial flexibility. The current ratio of 0.42 indicates potential challenges in covering short-term liabilities.

As Darden approaches its Q1 earnings report, the company must demonstrate resilience in its growth strategy. With leverage higher than its peers and unpredictable input costs, any underperformance could significantly impact the stock. Investors will closely watch the earnings release to gauge the company's ability to navigate the current economic environment.