Darden Restaurants — Dec 19, 2024 release

The dividend is payable on February 3, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 10, 2025. Share Repurchase Program During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 0.9 million shares of its common stock for a total of $142 million. As of the end of the fiscal second quarter, the Company had $601 million remaining under the current $1 billion repurchase authorization. Fiscal 2025 Financial Outlook The Company updated its full year financial outlook for fiscal 2025 which now includes Chuy's operating results, but excludes approximately $47 million, pre-tax, of expected transaction and integration related costs associated with the acquisition. The Company will provide additional details during its investor conference call scheduled for this morning at 8:30 am ET. • Total sales of approximately $12.1 billion • Same-restaurant sales growth of approximately 1.5%* • New restaurant openings of 50 to 55 • Total capital spending of approximately $650 million • Total inflation of approximately 2.5% • An effective tax rate of approximately 12.5% • Diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $9.40 to $9.60, excluding approximately $47 million, pre-tax, of Chuy's transaction and integration related costs** • Approximately 118 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding * Does not include Ruth's Chris and Chuy's as they were not owned and operated by Darden for a 16-month period at the beginning of the fiscal year ** See the "Non-GAAP Information" below for more details