OREANDA-NEWS. Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI) today reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended May 29, 2016.  The fourth quarter of last year included an extra week of operations resulting in a 53 week fiscal 2015. 

Fourth Quarter 2016 Financial Highlights Versus Same Fiscal Quarter Last Year

  • Due to the impact of the extra week of operations included in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, total sales from continuing operations decreased 4.7% to $1.79 billion; excluding the impact of the extra week, total sales from continuing operations increased 2.1%
  • Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased 19.6% to $1.10 and increased 8.9% from last year's adjusted diluted net earnings per share (13-week basis)*
  • The company repurchased approximately $45 million of its outstanding common stock
  • Same-restaurant sales increased 1.7% on a fiscal calendar basis
    (13-weeks ended May 29, 2016 vs. 13-weeks ended May 24, 2015)
 

+1.6% for Olive Garden

 

+1.5% for The Capital Grille

 

+1.4% for Yard House

 

+1.1% for LongHorn Steakhouse

 

+0.9% for Eddie V's

 

+3.7% for Seasons 52

         

+5.4% for Bahama Breeze

  • On a comparable calendar basis, same-restaurant sales increased 2.6% for the quarter
    (13-weeks ended May 29, 2016 vs. 13-weeks ended May 31, 2015)
 

+2.4% for Olive Garden

 

+3.7% for The Capital Grille

 

+1.4% for Yard House

 

+2.2% for LongHorn Steakhouse

 

+2.7% for Eddie V's

 

+5.0% for Seasons 52

         

+4.7% for Bahama Breeze

Note: Due to the transition from a 53-week to a 52-week fiscal year, year-over-year fiscal period comparisons are offset by one week.  Using comparable calendar periods balances the one-week shift and provides a clearer year-over-year comparison.

*   See the "Non-GAAP Information" below for more details.

"I'm pleased with the results we achieved during the fourth quarter, which wrapped up a year of significant progress improving our operations and financial performance," said CEO Gene Lee.  "These results reinforce our firm belief that our strategy is working as we continue to build guest loyalty by relentlessly focusing on our back-to-basics operating philosophy.  This focus, together with our competitive advantages, drove our strong performance for the year and increased shareholder value."

Fiscal 2016 Financial Highlights Versus Fiscal 2015

  • Total sales from continuing operations increased 2.5% to $6.93 billion, which includes the impact of the extra week of operations in fiscal 2015; excluding the impact of the extra week, total sales from continuing operations increased 4.4%
  • Reported diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations increased 84.1% to $2.78
  • Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $3.53 increased 37.9% (52-week basis)*
  • The company repurchased approximately $185 million of its outstanding common stock
  • Same-restaurant sales increased 3.3% for the year on both a fiscal and comparable calendar basis
 

+3.1% for Olive Garden

 

+3.9% for The Capital Grille

 

+2.3% for Yard House

 

+3.5% for LongHorn Steakhouse

 

+1.8% for Eddie V's

 

+4.7% for Seasons 52

         

+4.8% for Bahama Breeze

Note: The difference between fiscal and comparable calendar same-restaurant sales at the brand level was immaterial

*   See the "Non-GAAP Information" below for more details

Segment Performance Versus Same Fiscal Period Last Year
Segment profit represents sales, less costs for food and beverage, restaurant labor, restaurant expenses and marketing expenses.  Segment profit for fiscal 2016 includes the impact of additional rent expense related to the completion of our real estate strategy, primarily impacting Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.  The results for the three and twelve month periods ending May 31, 2015 include an additional week of operations.

Total Sales

 

Three Months Ended

     

Twelve Months Ended

     

($ millions)

 

05/29/16

 

05/31/15

 

% Change

 

05/29/16

 

05/31/15

 

% Change

 

Weeks in Period

 

13

 

14

 

13vs14

 

52

 

53

 

52vs53

 

Consolidated Darden

 

$

1,790.2

   

$

1,878.3

   

-4.7

%

 

$

6,933.5

   

$

6,764.0

   

2.5

%

 

Olive Garden

 

$

981.8

   

$

1,037.4

   

-5.4

%

 

$

3,838.6

   

$

3,789.6

   

1.3

%

 

LongHorn Steakhouse

 

$

413.2

   

$

438.1

   

-5.7

%

 

$

1,587.7

   

$

1,544.7

   

2.8

%

 

Fine Dining

 

$

131.6

   

$

137.2

   

-4.1

%

 

$

514.1

   

$

500.1

   

2.8

%

 

Other Business

 

$

263.6

   

$

265.6

   

-0.8

%

 

$

993.1

   

$

929.6

   

6.8

%

 

Segment Profit Margin %*

 

Three Months Ended

     

Twelve Months Ended

   

($ millions)

 

05/29/16

 

05/31/15

 

Basis Diff

 

05/29/16

 

05/31/15

 

Basis Diff

Olive Garden

 

19.3%

 

20.3%

 

(100)

 

19.8%

 

18.5%

 

130

LongHorn Steakhouse

 

19.0%

 

17.8%

 

120

 

17.3%

 

15.5%

 

180

Fine Dining

 

20.1%

 

20.0%

 

10

 

19.5%

 

19.0%

 

50

Other Business

 

18.9%

 

18.9%

 

 

16.9%

 

15.5%

 

140

* Incremental rent from real estate transactions in fiscal 2016 negatively impacted segment profit margin % by 230bps, 130bps, 10bps and 60bps for the three months ended 05/29/2016 and by 140bps, 90bps, 0bps and 30bps for the twelve months ended 05/29/16 for Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Fine Dining, and Other Business segments, respectively.

U.S. Same-Restaurant Sales Results - Fiscal Calendar Basis

Olive Garden

March

April

May

Q4

Same-Restaurant Sales

0.8%

0.2%

4.1%

1.6%

Same-Restaurant Traffic

0.3%

(2.4)%

1.7%

(0.1)%

Pricing

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

0.7%

Menu-mix

(0.2)%

1.9%

1.7%

1.0%

LongHorn Steakhouse

March

April

May

Q4

Same-Restaurant Sales

0.0%

0.3%

3.1%

1.1%

Same-Restaurant Traffic

(5.4)%

(3.4)%

(0.1)%

(3.2)%

Pricing

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

1.8%

Menu-mix

3.6%

1.9%

1.4%

2.5%

U.S. Same-Restaurant Sales Results - Comparable Calendar Basis

Olive Garden

March

April

May

Q4

Same-Restaurant Sales

1.7%

1.9%

3.8%

2.4%

Same-Restaurant Traffic

0.8%

(1.2)%

1.5%

0.4%

LongHorn Steakhouse

March

April

May

Q4

Same-Restaurant Sales

1.4%

1.7%

3.7%

2.2%

Same-Restaurant Traffic

(4.0)%

(2.0)%

0.4%

(2.0)%

Quarterly Dividend Increase
The Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $0.56 per common share, which represents a 12% increase over the Company's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The quarterly dividend is payable on August 1, 2016 to shareholders of record on July 11, 2016.

Share Repurchase Program
During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 0.7 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of approximately $45 million.  This leaves approximately $315 million remaining under the current $500 million repurchase authorization.

Fiscal 2017 Financial Outlook

  • Same-restaurant sales growth of 1.0% to 2.0%
  • New unit openings of 24 to 28 restaurants
  • Total capital spending of $310 to $350 million
  • Total inflation of 1.5% to 2.0%
  • Earnings per diluted share of $3.80 to $3.90
  • The EPS outlook reflects approximately 128.5 million diluted average common shares outstanding for the year

Annual Meeting of Shareholders
The Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on September 29, 2016 in Orlando, FL.  The record date for shareholders to vote in the Annual Meeting is August 1, 2016.

Investor Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call and slide presentation on Thursday, June 30 at 8:30 am ET to review its recent financial performance.  To listen to the call live, please go to https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1007/15389 at least fifteen minutes early to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.  For those who cannot access the Internet, please dial 1-888-820-8959 and enter passcode 1848969.  For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call.  In addition, at the conclusion of the call, we will post the slide presentation from the call on the Investor Relations section of our website at: www.darden.com that provides more context on our fourth quarter fiscal 2016 results.

About Darden
Darden Restaurants, Inc., (NYSE: DRI) owns and operates more than 1,500 restaurants that generate $6.9 billion in annual sales. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and employing 150,000 people, Darden is recognized for a culture that rewards caring for and responding to people.  Our restaurant brands - Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Seasons 52, The Capital Grille, Eddie V's and Yard House - reflect the rich diversity of those who dine with us. Our brands are built on deep insights into what our guests want. For more information, please visit www.darden.com.

Non-GAAP Information
The information in this press release includes financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), such as adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations.  The Company's management uses these non-GAAP measures in its analysis of the Company's performance.  The Company believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP measures provides useful supplemental information that is essential to a proper understanding of the operating results of the Company's businesses.  These non-GAAP disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures that may be presented by other companies.  Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures are included in this release.

Fiscal Q4 Reported to Adjusted Earnings Reconciliation

 

Q4 2016

Q4 2015

% Change

Reported Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations

$1.10

$0.92

19.6%

Debt Retirement Costs

 

Real Estate Plan Implementation

-*

 

Strategic Action Plan and Other Costs

0.16

 

Adjusted Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations

$1.10

$1.08

1.9%

Remove 53rd Week Impact in Fiscal 2015

(0.07)

 

Adjusted Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations (13-Week Basis)

$1.10

$1.01

8.9%

*De minimis adjustments within the quarter netted to zero.

Annual Reported to Adjusted Earnings Reconciliation

 

2016

2015

% Change

Reported Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations

$2.78

$1.51

84.1%

Debt Retirement Costs

0.51

0.42

 

Real Estate Plan Implementation

0.26

 

Strategic Action Plan and Other Costs

(0.02)

0.70

 

Adjusted Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations

$3.53

$2.63

34.2%

Remove 53rd Week Impact in Fiscal 2015 (In Q4)

(0.07)

 

Adjusted Diluted Net EPS from Continuing Operations (52-Week Basis)

$3.53

$2.56

37.9%

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

NUMBER OF COMPANY-OWNED RESTAURANTS

 
 

5/29/16

5/31/15

Olive Garden1

843

 

846

 

LongHorn Steakhouse

481

 

480

 

Yard House

65

 

59

 

The Capital Grille

54

 

54

 

Bahama Breeze

37

 

36

 

Seasons 52

40

 

43

 

Eddie V's

16

 

16

 

Darden Continuing Operations

1,536

 

1,534

 

1Includes six locations in Canada for all periods presented.

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

       
       
 

Three Months Ended

 

Twelve Months Ended

 

5/29/2016

 

5/31/2015

 

5/29/2016

 

5/31/2015

Sales

$

1,790.2

   

$

1,878.3

   

$

6,933.5

   

$

6,764.0

 

Costs and expenses:

             

Food and beverage

517.0

   

566.9

   

2,039.7

   

2,085.1

 

Restaurant labor

556.9

   

584.9

   

2,189.2

   

2,135.6

 

Restaurant expenses

308.4

   

295.1

   

1,163.5

   

1,120.8

 

Marketing expenses

63.4

   

65.5

   

238.0

   

243.3

 

General and administrative expenses

90.7

   

119.5

   

384.9

   

430.2

 

Depreciation and amortization

66.8

   

80.9

   

290.2

   

319.3

 

Impairments and disposal of assets, net

1.9

   

15.0

   

5.8

   

62.1

 

Total operating costs and expenses

$

1,605.1

   

$

1,727.8

   

$

6,311.3

   

$

6,396.4

 

Operating income

185.1

   

150.5

   

622.2

   

367.6

 

Interest, net

9.7

   

24.0

   

172.5

   

192.3

 

Earnings before income taxes

175.4

   

126.5

   

449.7

   

175.3

 

Income taxes

35.0

   

8.4

   

90.0

   

(21.1)

 

Earnings from continuing operations

$

140.4

   

$

118.1

   

$

359.7

   

$

196.4

 

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense
     of $0.5, $22.4, $3.4 and $344.8, respectively

(0.8)

   

(12.8)

   

15.3

   

513.1

 

Net earnings

$

139.6

   

$

105.3

   

$

375.0

   

$

709.5

 

Basic net earnings per share:

             

Earnings from continuing operations

$

1.11

   

$

0.94

   

$

2.82

   

$

1.54

 

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

(0.01)

   

(0.11)

   

0.12

   

4.02

 

Net earnings

$

1.10

   

$

0.83

   

$

2.94

   

$

5.56

 

Diluted net earnings per share:

             

Earnings from continuing operations

$

1.10

   

$

0.92

   

$

2.78

   

$

1.51

 

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

(0.01)

   

(0.10)

   

0.12

   

3.96

 

Net earnings

$

1.09

   

$

0.82

   

$

2.90

   

$

5.47

 

Average number of common shares outstanding:

             

Basic

126.4

   

126.3

   

127.4

   

127.7

 

Diluted

128.2

   

128.4

   

129.3

   

129.7

 
               

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

       
       
 

5/29/2016

 

5/31/2015

 

(Unaudited)

   

ASSETS

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

$

274.8

   

$

535.9

 

Receivables, net

64.0

   

78.0

 

Inventories

175.4

   

163.9

 

Prepaid income taxes

46.1

   

18.9

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

76.4

   

69.4

 

Deferred income taxes

163.3

   

157.4

 

Assets held for sale

20.3

   

32.9

 

Total current assets

$

820.3

   

$

1,056.4

 

Land, buildings and equipment, net

2,041.6

   

3,215.8

 

Goodwill

872.3

   

872.4

 

Trademarks

574.6

   

574.6

 

Other assets

273.8

   

275.5

 

Total assets

$

4,582.6

   

$

5,994.7

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

$

241.9

   

$

198.8

 

Accrued payroll

135.1

   

141.1

 

Accrued income taxes

   

12.6

 

Other accrued taxes

49.1

   

51.5

 

Unearned revenues

360.4

   

328.6

 

Current portion of long-term debt

   

15.0

 

Other current liabilities

400.6

   

449.1

 

Total current liabilities

$

1,187.1

   

$

1,196.7

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

440.0

   

1,452.3

 

Deferred income taxes

255.2

   

341.8

 

Deferred rent

249.7

   

225.9

 

Other liabilities

498.6

   

444.5

 

Total liabilities

$

2,630.6

   

$

3,661.2

 

Stockholders' equity:

     

Common stock and surplus

$

1,502.6

   

$

1,405.9

 

Retained earnings

547.5

   

1,026.0

 

Treasury stock

(7.8)

   

(7.8)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(87.0)

   

(86.6)

 

Unearned compensation

(3.3)

   

(4.0)

 

Total stockholders' equity

$

1,952.0

   

$

2,333.5

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$

4,582.6

   

$

5,994.7