Darden’s QQ2 2025 results reflect solid operating momentum across its four largest brands, driven by continued value-led strategies, operating discipline, and a favorable mix shift. Total sales reached $2.89 billion, up 6% year over year, aided by same-restaurant sales growth of 2.4% (including a ~90 basis point benefit from Thanksgiving timing) and the acquisition of 103 Chuy’s restaurants, plus net 39 new units. Adjusted diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $2.03, 10% higher than last year, and adjusted EBITDA was $445 million. The Olive Garden and LongHorn segments delivered the strongest performance, with Olive Garden reporting 3.3% total sales growth and a 21.4% segment EBITDA margin, while LongHorn posted 7.5% comparable restaurant sales growth and an 18.9% segment EBITDA margin. The company closed the Chuy’s deal in October and is actively integrating it on a multi-year path toward run-rate synergies of roughly $17 million (with about $2 million realized in fiscal 2025 and the remainder in 2026). Management emphasized a back-half bias in growth due to the Thanksgiving shift into Q3, with anticipation of continued optimization of the portfolio via menu and pricing actions, and a continued emphasis on speed, data insights, and technology (including a next-generation POS) to sustain margins and guest satisfaction. For 2025, Darden updated guidance to approximately $12.1 billion in total sales, ~1.5% same-restaurant sales growth, 50–55 new restaurants, ~650 million in capital expenditures, ~2.5% total inflation (commodities ~1%), an ~12.5% tax rate, ~118 million weighted-average diluted shares, and EPS of $9.40–$9.60. The outlook assumes the Chuy’s integration is neutral to Adjusted EPS for the year (excluding transaction/business costs) with expected $17 million in run-rate synergies; the company also highlighted Q3–Q4 cadence given the holiday shift and ongoing promotions across the portfolio.