US full-service restaurant company operating Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and eight other dining brands.
darden.comLegal name
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Founded
1968 (first Red Lobster); Darden incorporated 1995
Headquarters
Orlando, Florida, USA
Industry
Full-service restaurants
Employees
197,124
Revenue (FY26)
$13.21 billionMarket Cap
$22.15 billion
Listed on
NYSE: DRI
CFO
Raj Vennam
Darden Restaurants, Inc. is a US full-service restaurant company headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker DRI. It operates a portfolio of casual and fine-dining brands, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and Chuy's. The company traces its origins to 1968, when Bill Darden opened the first Red Lobster, and was incorporated as Darden Restaurants in 1995 after being spun off from General Mills.
For fiscal year 2026, which ended May 31, 2026, Darden reported total revenue of $13.21 billion, up about 9.4 percent from $12.08 billion the prior year. The company carries a market capitalization of roughly $22.15 billion and employs about 197,124 people across its restaurant network and support operations. Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse remain its two largest brands by footprint and sales.
The company is led by President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Cardenas, with Raj Vennam serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Cynthia T. Jamison serves as Chair of the Board. Darden's executive team also includes brand presidents for its individual restaurant concepts and functional leaders across finance, legal, supply chain, technology, and people operations.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Chair of the Board
Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
Interview experience
7 / 10
Interview difficulty
Easy
Interview process length
About a day or two
Practice real questions and get instant feedback before you walk in.
Q: What made you choose to work for Cheddar's?
A: Interviewers want a genuine reason tied to the brand and the job, not generic praise. Point to something specific, like the scratch-kitchen approach or the team feel, and connect it to what you want from the role.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses, and why should we hire you?
A: Pick a strength that matters on the floor, like staying calm when it's busy, and back it with a quick example. For the weakness, name a real one plus the step you take to manage it.
Q: If I were a brick layer what kind of brick would I use and what would I build?
A: There's no correct brick. This checks how you think out loud and stay composed with an odd prompt. Pick an answer, explain your reasoning, and tie it back to building something solid and lasting.
Q: What does Family mean?
A: Olive Garden leans on a family feel for guests and staff, so tie your answer to looking out for teammates and making guests feel welcome. A short personal example lands better than a dictionary definition.
Practice real questions and get instant feedback before you walk in.
US average
$62,300/yr
225 Salaries submitted
US average
$71,208/yr
5 Salaries submitted
US average
$91,118/yr
2 Salaries submitted
US average
$80,419/yr
5 Salaries submitted
US average
$69,301/yr
24 Salaries submitted
US average
$19.57/hr
113 Salaries submitted
Compare pay across roles and see where you stand.
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Orlando, FL • Full-time
Tailor your resume to each Darden role in minutes.
June 25, 2026
Darden posts strong Q4, launches new $1.5 billion buyback
Darden reported fiscal 2026 fourth quarter total sales up 13.7% to $3.72 billion with 4.6% same-restaurant sales growth, and adjusted diluted EPS of $3.66, up 22.8% year over year. The board raised the quarterly dividend 8% to $1.62 per share and authorized a new $1.5 billion share repurchase program.
#earnings #dividend #buyback
View postJune 25, 2026
Darden sets fiscal 2027 outlook with 75 to 80 new restaurants
Alongside its Q4 results, Darden guided fiscal 2027 total sales of $13.60 billion to $13.75 billion and diluted EPS from continuing operations of $11.10 to $11.35. The company expects same-restaurant sales growth of 2.5% to 3.5% and plans to open 75 to 80 new locations.
#guidance #growth #expansion
View postMarch 19, 2026
Darden explores strategic alternatives for Bahama Breeze
In its fiscal 2026 third quarter release, Darden said it is exploring strategic alternatives for the Bahama Breeze brand, with closures or conversions expected between Q3 fiscal 2026 and Q4 fiscal 2027. The company also reported Q3 sales of $3.345 billion, up 5.9%, with LongHorn Steakhouse same-restaurant sales up 7.2%.
#brandstrategy #earnings #restructuring
View postDecember 18, 2025
Darden lifts Q2 sales 7.3% on same-restaurant strength
Darden reported fiscal 2026 second quarter total sales up 7.3% to $3.1 billion, driven by a 4.3% blended same-restaurant sales increase and 30 net new restaurant openings. Adjusted diluted EPS was $2.08, and the board declared a $1.50 quarterly dividend.
#earnings #samestore #dividend
View postSeptember 18, 2025
Chuy's acquisition drives Darden Q1 sales up 10.4%
Darden opened fiscal 2026 with first quarter total sales up 10.4% to $3.0 billion, lifted by 103 acquired Chuy's Tex-Mex locations and a 4.7% blended same-restaurant sales increase. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 12.6% to $1.97, and the company repurchased $183 million of stock.
#acquisition #earnings #chuys
View postDarden Restaurants, Inc. is a US full-service restaurant company based in Orlando, Florida. It runs casual and fine-dining brands including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, and Ruth's Chris Steak House.
