Darden’s sales surge as Olive Garden and LongHorn outperform expectations in Q2 2026
Darden Restaurants has reported strong sales growth across its brands in the second quarter of 2026. Each segment, including Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, saw positive same-restaurant sales, outperforming industry expectations. The company also updated its financial guidance for the year, citing better-than-anticipated performance so far.
Olive Garden led the way with higher sales, driven by its expanded Olive Garden delivery service and new lighter-portion menu options. These changes have gradually rolled out, giving customers more flexibility in ordering. Meanwhile, Yard House introduced its own delivery service, adding to the company’s overall growth.
The updated guidance and sales growth highlight Darden’s resilience in a challenging market. With delivery services expanding and operational costs stabilising, the company is positioning itself for continued improvement. Earnings per share are now expected to accelerate in the latter half of the fiscal year.
