Darden Restaurants — Mar 20, 2025 release

The dividend is payable on May 1, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 10, 2025. Share Repurchase Program During the quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 0.3 million shares of its common stock for a total of $53 million. As of the end of the fiscal third quarter, the Company had $548 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 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% • 118.3 million weighted average diluted shares outstanding • Adjusted diluted net earnings per share from continuing operations of $9.45 to $9.52, excluding approximately $47 million, pre-tax, of Chuy's transaction and integration related costs** 2 * 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 Inve