I track companies with consistent dividend growth, focusing on those with strong financial health and above-average yields versus the S&P 500. This week's highlighted stocks average a 3.1% dividend increase and a 12.5-year growth streak, but only Darden Restaurants stands out for performance. SCHD ETF remains my preferred broad dividend growth holding, outperforming most individual names except Darden over the past decade.
Darden Restaurants delivered strong Q4 FY25 results, driven by robust same-store sales at Olive Garden and LongHorn, plus successful Uber Direct partnerships. Management's FY26 guidance calls for 7-8% sales growth, 2-3.5% same-store sales gains, and 60-65 new restaurant openings, supporting continued margin expansion. Valuation models suggest a $240 price target, offering 6% upside, with total annual returns near 10% when including dividends and buybacks.
There are several reasons Darden Restaurants' NYSE: DRI stock price can trend higher this year, including, but not limited to, top- and bottom-line outperformance, guidance, growth, acceleration, the dividend, and share buybacks. The net result is a strong tailwind for the price action, which is gaining momentum.
![]() DRI 2 weeks ago Announced | Quarterly | $1.5 Per Share |
![]() DRI 3 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 6 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 9 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 10 Jul 2024 Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
25 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | 2 Cons. EPS | - EPS |
18 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | 1.99 Cons. EPS | - EPS |
17 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | - Cons. EPS | - EPS |
20 Jun 2025 Date | | 2.97 Cons. EPS | 2.98 EPS |
18 Jun 2025 Date | | - Cons. EPS | - EPS |
![]() DRI 2 weeks ago Announced | Quarterly | $1.5 Per Share |
![]() DRI 3 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 6 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 9 months ago Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
![]() DRI 10 Jul 2024 Paid | Quarterly | $1.4 Per Share |
25 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | 2 Cons. EPS | - EPS |
18 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | 1.99 Cons. EPS | - EPS |
17 Sep 2025 (In 1 month) Date | | - Cons. EPS | - EPS |
20 Jun 2025 Date | | 2.97 Cons. EPS | 2.98 EPS |
18 Jun 2025 Date | | - Cons. EPS | - EPS |
Restaurants Industry | Consumer Cyclical Sector | Rajesh Vennam CEO | NYSE Exchange | 237194105 Cusip |
US Country | 191,105 Employees | 10 Jul 2025 Last Dividend | 10 Nov 2015 Last Split | 5 May 1995 IPO Date |
Darden Restaurants, Inc., established in 1995 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a leading name in the full-service restaurant industry in the United States and Canada. With a diverse portfolio of dining establishments, Darden Restaurants, Inc. prides itself on offering a wide range of culinary experiences through its subsidiaries. The company is committed to providing high-quality service and dining experiences to its customers, making it a distinguished entity in the hospitality sector.
The company operates several well-known brands, each offering unique dining experiences to cater to the varied tastes of its clientele. These brands include: