Darden Restaurants
DRI
#974
Rank
$25.35 B
Marketcap
$218.01
Share price
0.80%
Change (1 day)
13.21%
Change (1 year)
Darden Restaurants, Inc. is a an American restaurant chain company that operates chains such as Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze.

Darden Restaurants - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended August 24, 1997

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ............ to .............


1-13666
Commission File Number


DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


FLORIDA 59-3305930
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

5900 LAKE ELLENOR DRIVE,
ORLANDO, FLORIDA 32809
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

407-245-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. X Yes No
--- ---

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of September 24,
1997: 150,495,403 (excluding 9,825,106 shares held in treasury).
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Earnings 2

Consolidated Balance Sheets 3

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 4

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations 7

Part II - Other Information

Item 5. Other Information 9

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 9

Signatures 10

Index to Exhibits 11



1
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
(UNAUDITED)


Thirteen Weeks Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 1997 August 25, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales................................... $ 809,331 $ 805,555
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales:
Food and beverages.................. 265,950 267,692
Restaurant labor.................... 259,017 246,711
Restaurant expenses................. 122,744 123,217
--------- ---------
Total Cost of Sales............... $ 647,711 $ 637,620
Selling, general and administrative... 89,205 99,076
Depreciation and amortization......... 31,472 35,033
Interest, net......................... 4,693 4,933
--------- ---------
Total Costs and Expenses........ $ 773,081 $ 776,662
--------- ---------
Earnings before Income Taxes............ 36,250 28,893
Income Taxes............................ (11,842) (8,420)
--------- ---------

Net Earnings............................ $ 24,408 $ 20,473
========= =========

Net Earnings per Share.................. $ 0.16 $ 0.13
========= =========

Average Number of Common Shares
Outstanding........................... 152,700 157,700
========= =========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


2
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS)


(UNAUDITED)
August 24, 1997 May 25, 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.................... $ 30,355 $ 25,490
Receivables.................................. 16,219 16,333
Refundable income taxes, net................. 6,464 16,968
Inventories.................................. 122,274 132,241
Net assets held for disposal................. 55,050 47,471
Prepaid expenses and other current assets.... 13,007 14,709
Deferred income taxes........................ 77,233 84,157
---------- ----------
Total Current Assets....................... $ 320,602 $ 337,369
Land, Buildings and Equipment.................. 1,517,602 1,533,272
Other Assets................................... 95,033 93,081
---------- ----------

Total Assets........................... $1,933,237 $1,963,722
========== ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable............................. $ 124,460 $ 113,087
Short-term debt.............................. 43,400
Current portion of long-term debt............ 5 5
Accrued payroll.............................. 58,208 58,312
Other accrued taxes.......................... 25,236 22,180
Other current liabilities.................... 244,818 243,596
---------- ----------
Total Current Liabilities.................. $ 452,727 $ 480,580
Long-term Debt................................. 311,412 313,187
Deferred Income Taxes.......................... 64,437 70,118
Other Liabilities.............................. 18,700 18,624
---------- ----------
Total Liabilities........................ $ 847,276 $ 882,509
---------- ----------

Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock and surplus..................... $1,269,237 $1,268,656
Retained earnings (deficit).................. (17,298) (41,706)
Treasury stock............................... (90,994) (69,184)
Cumulative foreign currency adjustment....... (10,584) (10,037)
Unearned compensation........................ (64,400) (66,516)
---------- ----------
Total Stockholders' Equity............... $1,085,961 $1,081,213
---------- ----------

Total Liabilities and Stockholders'
Equity............................... $1,933,237 $1,963,722
========== ==========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)


Thirteen Weeks Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 1997 August 25, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flows--Operating Activities
Net earnings............................ $ 24,408 $ 20,473
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to cash flow:
Depreciation and amortization....... 31,472 35,033
Amortization of unearned
compensation and loan costs....... 896 903
Change in current assets and
liabilities....................... 37,752 1,969
Change in other liabilities......... 76 365
Loss on disposal of land,
buildings and equipment........... 261 1,103
Deferred income taxes............... 1,243 2,347
Other, net.......................... (278) 233
--------- ---------
Net Cash Provided by Operating
Activities.................... $ 95,830 $ 62,426
--------- ---------

Cash Flows--Investment Activities
Purchases of land, buildings and
equipment............................. (28,569) (38,952)
Purchases of intangibles................ (347) (80)
Increase in other assets................ (2,346) (153)
Proceeds from disposal of land,
buildings and equipment (including
net assets held for disposal)......... 4,875 2,012
--------- ---------
Net Cash Used by Investment
Activities.................... $ (26,387) $ (37,173)
--------- ---------

Cash Flows--Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock.. 410 824
Income tax benefit credited to equity... 227 268
Purchases of treasury stock............. (21,810) (2,906)
ESOP note receivable repayment.......... 1,800
Decrease in short-term debt............. (43,400) (38,900)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term
debt.................................. 16,900
Repayment of long-term debt............. (1,805) (3)
Payment of loan costs................... (177)
--------- ---------
Net Cash Used by Financing
Activities.................... $ (64,578) $ (23,994)
--------- ---------

Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents..... 4,865 1,259
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning
of Period............................... 25,490 30,343
--------- ---------

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of
Period.................................. $ 30,355 $ 31,602
========= =========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - CONTINUED
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)


Thirteen Weeks Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 1997 August 25, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets
and Liabilities:
Receivables........................... $ 114 $ (4,591)
Refundable income taxes, net.......... 10,504
Inventories........................... 9,967 1,200
Net assets held for disposal.......... (2,181)
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets.............................. 1,702 628
Accounts payable...................... 11,373 10,954
Accrued payroll....................... (104) (2,914)
Accrued income taxes.................. (2,079)
Other accrued taxes................... 3,056 3,452
Other current liabilities............. 1,140 (2,500)
--------- ---------

Change in Current Assets and
Liabilities..................... $ 37,752 $ 1,969
========= =========


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5
DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


NOTE 1. BACKGROUND

These consolidated financial statements do not include certain
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. However, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included and
are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the thirteen weeks ended
August 24, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be
expected for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1998.

These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and footnotes included in the annual report on Form 10-K of
Darden Restaurants, Inc. (hereinafter called the "Company" or "Darden") for the
year ended May 25, 1997. The accounting policies used in preparing these
consolidated financial statements are the same as those described in the
Company's annual report on Form 10-K.

NOTE 2. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

During the thirteen weeks ended August 24, 1997, Darden paid $8,194 for
interest (net of amount capitalized) and $380 for income taxes.

NOTE 3. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL AND COMMODITY INSTRUMENTS

On January 31, 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued amended disclosure rules for derivatives and exposures to market risk
from derivative and other financial and certain commodity instruments. Enhanced
accounting policy disclosures in accordance with this SEC release follow.

The Company may, from time to time, use financial and commodities
derivatives in the management of interest rate and commodities pricing risks
that are inherent in its business operations. Such instruments are not held or
issued for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company uses commodities hedging instruments, including forwards,
futures and options, to reduce the risk of price fluctuations related to future
raw materials requirements for commodities such as coffee, soybean oil, and
shrimp. The terms of such instruments generally do not exceed twelve months, and
depend on the commodity and other market factors. Deferred gains and losses are
subsequently recorded as cost of products sold in the statement of earnings when
the inventory is sold. If the inventory is not acquired and the hedge is
disposed of, the deferred gain or loss is recognized immediately in cost of
products sold.

The Company may, from time to time, use interest rate swap and cap
agreements in the management of interest rate exposure. The interest rate
differential to be paid or received is normally accrued as interest rates
change, and is recognized as a component of interest expense over the life of
the agreements. If an agreement is terminated prior to the maturity date and is
characterized as a hedge, any accrued rate differential would be deferred and
recognized as interest expense over the life of the hedged item.

The Company does not have any material risk from any of the above
financial instruments, and the Company does not anticipate any material losses
from the use of such instruments.


6
ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth selected restaurant operating data as a
percentage of sales for the periods indicated. All information is derived from
the consolidated statements of earnings for the thirteen weeks ended August 24,
1997 and August 25, 1996.

Thirteen Weeks Ended
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 1997 August 25, 1996
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sales............................ 100.0% 100.0%
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales:
Food and beverages........... 32.9 33.2
Restaurant labor............. 32.0 30.7
Restaurant expenses.......... 15.1 15.3
------ ------
Total Cost of Sales........ 80.0% 79.2%

Selling, general and
administrative................ 11.0 12.3
Depreciation and amortization... 3.9 4.3
Interest, net................... 0.6 0.6
------ ------
Total Costs and Expenses.. 95.5% 96.4%
------ ------

Earnings before Income Taxes...... 4.5 3.6
Income Taxes...................... (1.5) (1.1)
------ ------

Net Earnings...................... 3.0% 2.5%
====== ======


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the fiscal 1998 first quarter ended August 24, 1997, earnings after
tax were $24.4 million or 16 cents per share, compared to earnings after tax of
$20.5 million or 13 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The
increase in first-quarter earnings was primarily attributable to significantly
higher earnings at Red Lobster coupled with moderately higher earnings at The
Olive Garden. Sales of $809.3 million for the quarter were slightly higher than
last year.

Food and beverage costs for the quarter were 32.9% of sales, compared
to 33.2% of sales last year primarily attributable to reduced costs at The Olive
Garden. Restaurant labor increased to 32.0% of sales compared to last year's
30.7% due to wage rate inflation and higher manager compensation paid in
response to competitive market conditions. Restaurant expenses decreased
modestly to 15.1% of sales compared to 15.3% last year. The store-level profit
margin deceased to 20.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 from 20.8% last
year primarily as a result of increased labor expenses. The decrease in
first-quarter selling, general and administrative expenses to 11.0% of sales
compared to 12.3% of sales last year was primarily attributable to reduced
marketing expenses.

The tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 was 32.7% compared to
29.1% in last year's first quarter. The increase in the effective tax rate
reflects a higher level of expected pre-tax income for the year.

DIVISION RESULTS

Red Lobster sales of $469.5 million were down 1.2% compared to the
first quarter of last year mainly due to the closing of underperforming
restaurants. Same-store sales in the U.S. were up 1.8%. Red Lobster's operating
profits for the first quarter were significantly above the prior year.

The Olive Garden continued its steady course of improvement with a 2.2%
increase in sales to $336.0 million. Same-store sales in the U.S. increased 4.1%
representing the twelfth consecutive quarter of same-store


7
sales increases. First-quarter operating profits moderately increased compared
to last year, primarily due to reduced food and beverage costs and depreciation
expense.

Darden's newest concept Bahama Breeze reported strong sales at both
restaurants during the quarter. Three more restaurants are currently under
development.

The Company closed 26 underperforming restaurants in Canada on
September 13, 1997. The remaining 40 Canadian Red Lobster and The Olive Garden
restaurants reported an overall profitability increase in the first quarter
compared to the same period last year.

The table below details the number of restaurants open at the end of
the first quarter, compared with the number open at the end of May 1997 fiscal
year and the end of last year's first quarter.


NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 24, 1997 May 25, 1997 August 25, 1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Red Lobster - USA............ 652 652 678
Red Lobster - Canada......... 50 51 52
----- ----- -----
Total...................... 702 703 730

Olive Garden - USA........... 459 461 474
Olive Garden - Canada........ 16 16 16
----- ----- -----
Total...................... 475 477 490

Bahama Breeze................ 2 2 1
----- ----- -----

Total.................. 1,179 1,182 1,221
===== ===== =====



8
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

On September 25, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors (the
"Board") declared a semi-annual dividend of four cents per share. The
dividend will be paid on November 1, 1997, to stockholders of record on
October 10, 1997.

In other action, the Board authorized the Company to issue up
to 2,100,000 equity put options on its common stock ("puts"). The puts
entitle the holder to sell shares of the Company's common stock to the
Company at a specified price on a specified date. The Company's
issuance of puts will be coordinated with its ongoing share repurchase
program.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits.

Exhibit 10 Fiscal 1998 Stock Purchase/Option Award Special
Terms and Conditions, Form of Non-Negotiable
Promissory Note, and Form of Stock Pledge
Agreement

Exhibit 11 Determination of Common Shares and Common Share
Equivalents

Exhibit 12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to
Fixed Charges

Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

(i) On June 18, 1997, the Company filed a current report on
Form 8-K to announce annual and fourth quarter financial
results for fiscal year 1997.

(ii) On June 23, 1997, the Company filed a current report on
Form 8-K to announce the Company's streamlined management
structure, elimination of the Chief Operating Officer's
position, and the resignation of Jeffrey J. O'Hara.

(iii) On July 15, 1997, the Company filed a current report on
Form 8-K to announce that Red Lobster's national advertising
and media account was awarded to Euro RSCG Tatham of Chicago,
Illinois.

(iv) On July 15, 1997, the Company filed a current report on
Form 8-K to announce Investor Relations changes, including the
promotion of Clarence Otis, Jr. to Senior Vice President,
Investor Relations and Treasurer.


9
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.


Dated: October 1, 1997 By: /s/ C. L. Whitehill
-----------------------------------
C.L. Whitehill
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary



Dated: October 1, 1997 By: /s/ James D. Smith
-----------------------------------
James D. Smith
Senior Vice President - Finance
(Principal financial and accounting
officer)



10
INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit
Number Exhibit Title Page

10 Fiscal 1998 Stock Purchase/Option Award Special Terms and
Conditions, Form of Non-Negotiable Promissory Note, and
Form of Stock Pledge Agreement 12

11 Determination of Common Shares and Common Share
Equivalents 22

12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed
Charges 23

27 Financial Data Schedule 24



11