Here are the 8-K filings from Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) in our archive since June 2025, newest first, and each one links through to the document itself with the summary and the scores our analysis gives it.
An 8-K covers material events a company has to report between its quarterly reports, so if you follow DRI and want that one kind of document rather than the whole filing history, this is the page to keep. The company's other filings, of every form, are on the full DRI filings page.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. entered into a $1,500,000,000 senior unsecured revolving credit agreement on October 22, 2026, with Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent and participating lenders. The commitment matures on October 22, 2031, and includes a $150 million sublimit for letters of credit. Darden terminated its prior $1,250,000,000 credit agreement when the new agreement became effective on October 22, 2026; no amounts were outstanding under the prior agreement on that date.
The proceeds may be used for working capital and capital expenditures, refinancing certain indebtedness, certain acquisitions and general corporate purposes. The agreement sets a maximum consolidated net debt to total capitalization ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and includes customary representations, affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on liens and subsidiary debt, and customary events of default. Borrowing rates are based on prevailing interest rates and, in part, Darden’s credit ratings; interest and fee pricing may be modified if the rating of Darden’s long-term senior unsecured debt changes. Certain lenders and their affiliates have provided and may continue to provide Darden investment banking, commercial banking, financial and other services, for which Darden has paid and intends to pay customary fees.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. elected nine directors at its September 23, 2026 annual meeting: Margaret Shân Atkins, Ricardo Cardenas, Juliana L. Chugg, James P. Fogarty, Cynthia T. Jamison, Daryl A. Kenningham, William S. Simon, Charles M. Sonsteby and Timothy J. Wilmott. They will serve until the next annual meeting or until successors are elected and qualified.
Shareholders approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, ratified KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 30, 2027, and did not approve a proposal requesting a policy to review low director support.
Darden Restaurants reported fiscal 2027 first-quarter sales of $3.2 billion, up 5.1%. Blended same-restaurant sales increased 3.1% on a fiscal-calendar basis and 3.2% on a comparable-calendar basis. Earnings from continuing operations were $234.3 million, compared with $257.9 million a year earlier; diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.05, versus $2.19.
The board declared a $1.62-per-share quarterly cash dividend, payable November 2, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 9, 2026. Darden repurchased approximately 1.1 million shares for $222.3 million during the quarter, with $1.3 billion remaining under its current $1.5 billion authorization at quarter-end. The company reaffirmed its fiscal 2027 outlook, including diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $11.10 to $11.35.
Darden Restaurants reported strong results for the fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year, helped by a 53rd week, higher same-restaurant sales and new openings. Fourth quarter sales rose 13.7% to $3.72 billion and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations grew 22.8% to $3.66. Full-year sales increased 9.4% to $13.21 billion and adjusted diluted EPS rose 11.4% to $10.64.
The Board raised the quarterly dividend 8.0% to $1.62 per share and authorized a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program after buying back $138 million of stock in the quarter. For fiscal 2027, the company targets sales of $13.60–$13.75 billion, same-restaurant sales growth of 2.5–3.5%, EBITDA of $2.26–$2.29 billion and diluted EPS of $11.10–$11.35.
Darden also amended its bylaws to, among other changes, allow up to 20 shareholders to aggregate holdings for director nominations, update procedures for universal proxy rules, adjust annual meeting timing and remove obsolete provisions.
Darden Restaurants reported fiscal third-quarter 2026 results, raised its full-year outlook and declared a higher cash return to shareholders. Total sales rose 5.9% to $3.3 billion, driven by 4.2% blended same-restaurant sales growth and contributions from 31 net new restaurants. Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations was $2.68, while adjusted diluted EPS was $2.95, up 5.4% year over year after excluding Bahama Breeze closure and impairment costs and tax items. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse led segment performance, and company-level operating income reached $406.4 million.
For fiscal 2026, Darden now expects about 9.5% total sales growth, including roughly 2% from a 53rd week, same-restaurant sales growth of about 4.5%, and adjusted diluted EPS of $10.57 to $10.67. The board declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per share, payable May 1, 2026, and the company repurchased $127 million of stock in the quarter, leaving $516 million under its $1 billion authorization.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. furnished a news release titled “Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2026 Second Quarter Results; Declares Quarterly Dividend; And Updates Fiscal 2026 Financial Outlook” as Exhibit 99.1. The release reports fiscal 2026 second‑quarter results, declares a quarterly dividend, and updates the company’s financial outlook for the rest of fiscal 2026. The slide presentation used during the company’s conference call will also be posted on its website to give investors additional detail on recent performance and guidance.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. approved a special performance-based restricted stock unit award for President and CEO Ricardo Cardenas with a target value of $17,000,000. The performance stock units can pay out between 0% and 200% of the target amount based on the company’s total shareholder return versus the S&P 500 over an approximately five-year period, and are scheduled to vest on July 24, 2030, subject to his continued employment.
Shareholders held their annual meeting on September 17, 2025, electing nine directors and giving advisory approval to the company’s executive compensation program. They ratified KPMG LLP as independent auditor and voted against a shareholder proposal asking Darden to disclose measurable targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. reported several updates related to its fiscal 2026 performance and plans. On September 18, 2025, the company issued a news release titled “Darden Restaurants Reports Fiscal 2026 First Quarter Results; Declares Quarterly Dividend; And Updates Fiscal 2026 Financial Outlook.” This release, furnished as Exhibit 99.1, provides details on first quarter financial results, the latest quarterly dividend declaration, and revisions to the company’s fiscal 2026 financial outlook.
The company also noted that the slide presentation used for its conference call will be posted on its website. The information in this current report, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished rather than filed under the securities laws, meaning it is not automatically incorporated into other securities filings unless specifically referenced.
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) filed an 8-K on 20 June 2025 disclosing two material events.
1. Financial & capital-allocation update (Item 2.02)
The company furnished a news release (Exhibit 99.1) announcing its fiscal 2025 Q4 and full-year results. While specific figures are contained in the exhibit rather than the 8-K body, management highlighted three shareholder-friendly actions:
- Quarterly dividend increased (exact amount not stated in the filing).
- New US$1 billion share-repurchase program authorised, replacing prior authorisations.
- Initial fiscal 2026 outlook to be discussed on the accompanying earnings call; slide deck to be posted on the investor-relations website.
2. Leadership transition (Item 5.02)
Dan Kiernan, President of Olive Garden, will retire effective 31 August 2025. The Board appointed John Wilkerson (currently President, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen) as President-elect, Olive Garden, effective 23 June 2025 and full President effective 1 September 2025. Wilkerson and Kiernan will work together through the transition period to ensure operational continuity.
Investor take-away: The filing combines a capital-return announcement—typically viewed favourably by shareholders—with an internally sourced leadership change at the company’s largest brand. The absence of detailed financial metrics within the filing limits immediate quantitative analysis, but the dividend hike and sizeable buyback suggest confidence in cash-flow generation entering fiscal 2026.