Darden Restaurants started FY27 strong as first-quarter sales increased 5.1 per cent to $3.2 billion, with president and CEO Rick Cardenas crediting positive same-restaurant sales growth across all segments.

“The performance across our portfolio reinforces the importance of having distinctive brands, each with a clear strategy, supported by Darden’s scale and other competitive advantages,” Cardenas said.

Olive Garden remained Darden’s largest segment, with first-quarter sales increasing to $1.33 billion. Segment profit also rose to $270.8 million, compared with $267.6 million in the prior-year quarter.

LongHorn Steakhouse sales jumped to $860.9 million from $776.4 million, while profit increased to $154.6 million from $134.9 million.

Darden’s ‘Other Business’ saw revenue rise to $705.4 million from $680.7 million and profit increase to $111.5 million from $109.3 million. Fine Dining sales also grew, reaching $304.2 million compared with $286.5 million a year earlier.

“Looking ahead, our focus remains the same: operate our restaurants at a high level, strengthen guest loyalty, invest in our people and brands, and deploy capital in ways that support long-term shareholder value,” Cardenas concluded.

• Further reading: Darden Restaurants buys Chuy’s for $605 million.