Darden Restaurants Shines in Q4 2025 with Record-Breaking Sales and Earnings Growth
Darden Restaurants, one of the largest casual dining companies in the US, has announced impressive results for its fiscal fourth quarter (Q4) 2025. According to a recent conference call transcript, the company delivered strong sales and earnings growth that exceeded expectations.
The return of Olive Garden's popular "buy one take one" offer after five years, combined with continued strength in off-premise sales, drove impressive results for the chain. The offer, which allowed guests to choose one entree for dining and then take a second one home, resonated with customers who were motivated by news and compelling price points.
"Buy one take one with a starting price point of $14.99 allowed guests to choose one entree for their dining experience and then take a second one home," said Rick Cardenas, President and CEO of Darden Restaurants. "The take-home selections leveraged Olive Garden's existing $6 take-home platform, minimizing operational complexity."
The success of the offer was evident in Olive Garden's sales numbers, with same-restaurant sales growing nearly 20% over last year. The chain also saw order volume grow week-to-week while retaining higher-than-average sales per transaction versus curbside pickup orders.
"During buy one take one, Olive Garden same-restaurant sales gap versus the industry increased to 450 basis points," added Cardenas. "With delivery available nationwide throughout the quarter, we continued to see order volume grow week-to-week while retaining higher-than-average sales per transaction versus curbside pickup orders."
The company's focus on quality and customer satisfaction was also evident in its other brands, with LongHorn Steakhouse delivering an all-time high stakes will correctly score as well as a new all-time high guest satisfaction score for the quarter. The chain's commitment to ongoing training and expertise was highlighted by its internal drilling competition and training program, which validated each Grill Master's expertise.
"I am extremely proud of how Dan Kiernan and his team managed the business throughout the year and the strong momentum they have generated heading into the new fiscal year," said Cardenas. "At LongHorn Steakhouse, the ongoing commitment to quality, simplicity and culture continues to drive their momentum."
The company's quarterly results were also marked by a significant increase in takeout sales, with Olive Garden seeing overall takeout sales grow nearly 20% over last year. The launch of a campaign to promote delivery across multiple channels, including television advertising, also contributed to the chain's success.
