================================================================================ 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 November 23, 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 December 11, 1997: 148,561,451 (excluding 11,960,506 shares held in treasury). ================================================================================ DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Part I - Financial Information Item 1. Financial Statements Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) 2 Consolidated Balance Sheets 4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 8 Part II - Other Information Item 5. Other Information 10 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 10 Signatures 11 Index to Exhibits 12 1 PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (LOSS) (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) Thirteen Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 November 24, 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales..................................... $ 745,263 $ 748,757 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages.................... 241,859 258,105 Restaurant labor...................... 252,929 252,497 Restaurant expenses................... 117,941 119,966 ---------- ---------- Total Cost of Sales................. $ 612,729 $ 630,568 Selling, general and administrative..... 84,412 93,315 Depreciation and amortization........... 31,613 35,070 Interest, net........................... 4,723 5,623 ---------- ---------- Total Costs and Expenses.......... $ 733,477 $ 764,576 ---------- ---------- Earnings (Loss) before Income Taxes....... 11,786 (15,819) Income Taxes.............................. (4,256) 4,650 ---------- ---------- Net Earnings (Loss) ...................... $ 7,530 $ (11,169) ========== ========== Net Earnings (Loss) per Share............. $ 0.05 $ (0.07) ========== ========== Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding............................. 150,300 157,500 ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 2 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) Twenty-Six Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 November 24, 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales..................................... $ 1,554,594 $ 1,554,312 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages.................... 507,809 525,797 Restaurant labor...................... 511,946 499,208 Restaurant expenses................... 240,685 243,183 ----------- ----------- Total Cost of Sales ................ $ 1,260,440 $ 1,268,188 Selling, general and administrative..... 173,617 192,391 Depreciation and amortization........... 63,085 70,103 Interest, net........................... 9,416 10,556 ----------- ----------- Total Costs and Expenses.......... $ 1,506,558 $ 1,541,238 ----------- ----------- Earnings before Income Taxes.............. 48,036 13,074 Income Taxes.............................. (16,098) (3,770) ----------- ----------- Net Earnings.............................. $ 31,938 $ 9,304 =========== =========== Net Earnings per Share.................... $ 0.21 $ 0.06 =========== =========== Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding............................. 151,500 157,600 =========== =========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 3 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS) (Unaudited) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 May 25, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents.................. $ 22,069 $ 25,490 Receivables................................ 19,500 16,333 Refundable income taxes, net............... 11,953 16,968 Inventories................................ 182,834 132,241 Net assets held for disposal............... 57,231 47,471 Prepaid expenses and other current assets.. 12,447 14,709 Deferred income taxes...................... 76,646 84,157 ----------- ----------- Total Current Assets..................... $ 382,680 $ 337,369 Land, Buildings and Equipment................ 1,503,356 1,533,272 Other Assets................................. 95,523 93,081 ----------- ----------- Total Assets......................... $ 1,981,559 $ 1,963,722 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable........................... $ 132,244 $ 113,087 Short-term debt............................ 62,300 43,400 Current portion of long-term debt.......... 5 5 Accrued payroll............................ 59,464 58,312 Other accrued taxes........................ 23,342 22,180 Other current liabilities.................. 239,145 243,596 ----------- ----------- Total Current Liabilities................ $ 516,500 $ 480,580 Long-term Debt............................... 311,442 313,187 Deferred Income Taxes........................ 69,648 70,118 Other Liabilities............................ 18,890 18,624 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities...................... $ 916,480 $ 882,509 ----------- ----------- Stockholders' Equity: Common stock and surplus................... $ 1,272,146 $ 1,268,656 Retained earnings (deficit)................ (15,773) (41,706) Treasury stock............................. (115,849) (69,184) Cumulative foreign currency adjustment..... (11,090) (10,037) Unearned compensation...................... (64,355) (66,516) ----------- ----------- Total Stockholders' Equity............. $ 1,065,079 $ 1,081,213 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity............................. $ 1,981,559 $ 1,963,722 =========== =========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 4 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) Thirteen Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 November 24, 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Flows--Operating Activities: Net earnings (loss)..................... $ 7,530 $ (11,169) Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to cash flow: Depreciation and amortization....... 31,613 35,070 Amortization of unearned compensation and loan costs....... 821 918 Change in current assets and liabilities....................... (65,498) (51,236) Change in other liabilities......... 190 (184) Loss on disposal of land, buildings and equipment..................... 1,290 1,765 Deferred income taxes............... 5,798 5,683 Other, net.......................... 384 (152) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Operating Activities.................... $ (17,872) $ (19,305) ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Investment Activities: Purchases of land, buildings and equipment............................. (27,544) (44,448) Purchases of intangibles................ (524) (449) (Increase) decrease in other assets..... (721) 1,171 Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment (including net assets held for disposal)......... 4,186 10,722 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Investment Activities.................... $ (24,603) $ (33,004) ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock.. 2,086 114 Income tax benefit credited to equity... 352 21 Dividends paid.......................... (6,005) (6,284) Purchases of treasury stock............. (24,855) (6,286) ESOP note receivable repayment.......... 600 Increase in short-term debt............. 62,300 56,600 Repayment of long-term debt............. (3,451) Proceeds from issuance of equity puts... 311 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities.................... $ 34,189 $ 41,314 ---------- ---------- Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents..... (8,286) (10,995) Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period.................................. 30,355 31,602 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period. $ 22,069 $ 20,607 ========== ========== Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Receivables........................... $ (3,281) $ 464 Refundable income taxes, net.......... (5,489) (11,225) Inventories........................... (60,560) (20,377) Net assets held for disposal.......... 2,181 Prepaid expenses and other current assets.............................. 560 (1,270) Accounts payable...................... 7,784 (9,492) Accrued payroll....................... 1,256 2,516 Accrued income taxes.................. (10,443) Other accrued taxes................... (1,894) (423) Other current liabilities............. (3,874) (3,167) ---------- ---------- Change in Current Assets and Liabilities..................... $ (65,498) $ (51,236) ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 5 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) Twenty-Six Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 November 24, 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Flows--Operating Activities: Net earnings............................ $ 31,938 $ 9,304 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flow: Depreciation and amortization....... 63,085 70,103 Amortization of unearned compensation and loan costs....... 1,717 1,821 Change in current assets and liabilities....................... (27,746) (49,267) Change in other liabilities......... 266 181 Loss on disposal of land, buildings and equipment..................... 1,551 2,868 Deferred income taxes............... 7,041 8,030 Other, net.......................... 106 81 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities.................... $ 77,958 $ 43,121 ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Investment Activities: Purchases of land, buildings and equipment............................. (56,113) (83,400) Purchases of intangibles................ (871) (529) (Increase) decrease in other assets..... (3,067) 1,018 Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment (including net assets held for disposal)......... 9,061 12,734 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Investment Activities.................... $ (50,990) $ (70,177) ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock.. 2,496 938 Income tax benefit credited to equity... 579 289 Dividends paid.......................... (6,005) (6,284) Purchases of treasury stock............. (46,665) (9,192) ESOP note receivable repayment.......... 1,800 600 Increase in short-term debt............. 18,900 17,700 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.................................. 16,900 Repayment of long-term debt............. (1,805) (3,454) Proceeds from issuance of equity puts... 311 Payment of loan costs................... (177) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by (Used by) Financing Activities.......... $ (30,389) $ 17,320 ---------- ---------- Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents..... (3,421) (9,736) Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period.................................. 25,490 30,343 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period. $ 22,069 $ 20,607 ========== ========== Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Receivables........................... $ (3,167) $ (4,127) Refundable income taxes, net.......... 5,015 (11,225) Inventories........................... (50,593) (19,177) Prepaid expenses and other current assets.............................. 2,262 (642) Accounts payable...................... 19,157 1,462 Accrued payroll....................... 1,152 (398) Accrued income taxes.................. (12,522) Other accrued taxes................... 1,162 3,029 Other current liabilities............. (2,734) (5,667) ---------- ---------- Change in Current Assets and Liabilities..................... $ (27,746) $ (49,267) ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 6 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 and twenty-six weeks ended November 23, 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 and twenty-six weeks ended November 23, 1997, Darden paid $0 and $8,194, respectively, for interest (net of amount capitalized) and $3,691 and $4,071, respectively, 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. 7 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 (loss) for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended November 23, 1997 and November 24, 1996. Thirteen Weeks Ended Twenty-Six Weeks Ended - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, November 24, November 23, November 24, 1997 1996 1997 1996 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales..................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages................... 32.5 34.5 32.7 33.8 Restaurant labor..................... 33.9 33.7 32.9 32.1 Restaurant expenses.................. 15.8 16.0 15.5 15.7 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total Cost of Sales................ 82.2% 84.2% 81.1% 81.6% Selling, general and administrative.... 11.3 12.5 11.2 12.4 Depreciation and amortization.......... 4.3 4.7 4.0 4.5 Interest, net.......................... 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 ----- ----- ----- ----- Total Costs and Expenses......... 98.4% 102.1% 96.9% 99.2% ----- ----- ----- ----- Earnings (Loss) before Income Taxes....... 1.6 (2.1) 3.1 0.8 Income Taxes.............................. (0.6) 0.6 (1.0) (0.2) ----- ----- ----- ----- Net Earnings (Loss)....................... 1.0% (1.5)% 2.1% 0.6% ===== ===== ===== ===== - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS For the fiscal 1998 second quarter ended November 23, 1997, earnings after tax were $7.5 million or five cents per share, compared to a net loss of $11.2 million or seven cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 1997. The increase in second quarter earnings was primarily attributable to strong same store sales at The Olive Garden and improved margins at Red Lobster. Sales of $745.3 million for the quarter, with 75 fewer restaurants at the end of the quarter, were slightly below last year's second quarter. For the first six months of fiscal 1998, net earnings were $31.9 million or 21 cents per share, compared to $9.3 million or six cents per share in the same fiscal 1997 period. Sales approximating $1.6 billion for the first six months of fiscal 1998 were comparable to last year. Food and beverage costs for the quarter were 32.5% of sales, compared to 34.5% of sales last year primarily attributable to reduced costs, pricing and sales mix. Restaurant labor increased to 33.9% of sales compared to last year's 33.7% due to wage rate inflation and higher manager compensation paid in response to competitive market conditions. Restaurant expenses decreased modestly to 15.8% of sales compared to 16.0% last year. Restaurant level profit margin increased to 17.8% of sales in the second quarter compared to 15.8% last year. The decrease in second quarter selling, general and administrative expense to 11.3% of sales compared to 12.5% of sales last year was attributable to reduced marketing expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense declined to 4.3% of sales compared to 4.7% in the prior year. This decline resulted from restaurant closings and asset impairment write-downs subsequent to fiscal 1997's second quarter. The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 was 36.1%, compared to 29.4% last year. The estimated effective tax rate for fiscal 1998 is approximately 33.1% which is up from last year's effective tax rate before unusual items of 27.9% due to a higher level of expected pre-tax income for the year. Food and beverage costs for the first six months of fiscal 1998 were 32.7% of sales, down from last year's 33.8% and also attributable to reduced costs, pricing and sales mix. Restaurant labor increased to 32.9% of sales compared to last year's 32.1%, also due to wage rate inflation and higher manager compensation paid in response to 8 competitive market conditions. Restaurant expenses were 15.5% of sales, compared to 15.7% in the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 11.2% of sales compared to 12.4% in the prior year, again attributable to reduced marketing expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense declined to 4.0% of sales compared to 4.5% in the prior year. This decline also resulted from restaurant closings and asset impairment write-downs subsequent to fiscal 1997's second quarter. DIVISION RESULTS Red Lobster sales of $417.8 million, with 49 fewer restaurants at the end of the quarter, was 4.5% below last year's second quarter. Same-store sales in the U.S. were down 0.2% for the quarter which compares favorably to last year's strong sales and traffic due to heavy marketing associated with the repositioning of Red Lobster. Second quarter margins and operating profits substantially improved over the prior year because of lower restaurant level costs as a percentage of sales and reduced marketing and depreciation expense. Through the first six months of fiscal 1998, Red Lobster's sales declined 2.8% to $887 million and same-store sales in the U.S. increased by 0.9%. The overall reduction in sales was attributable to units closed subsequent to fiscal 1997's second quarter. The Olive Garden continued its positive momentum in the second quarter of fiscal 1998 with a 4.7% increase in sales to $324.2 million. Same-store sales in the U.S. increased 9.1%, marking the thirteenth consecutive quarter of same-store sales increases. Second quarter operating profits were significantly ahead of last year. Through the first six months of fiscal 1998, The Olive Garden sales increased 3.4% to $660.1 million and same-store sales in the U.S. increased by 6.5%. Darden's newest concept Bahama Breeze continues to report strong sales at both restaurants. Three more restaurants are currently under development. The table below details the number of restaurants open at the end of the second quarter, compared with the number open at the end of May 1997 and the end of last fiscal year's second quarter. NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 23, 1997 May 25, 1997 November 24, 1996 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Red Lobster - USA......... 649 652 681 Red Lobster - Canada...... 35 51 52 ----- ----- ----- Total................... 684 703 733 ----- ----- ----- Olive Garden - USA........ 460 461 475 Olive Garden - Canada..... 5 16 16 ----- ----- ----- Total................... 465 477 491 ----- ----- ----- Bahama Breeze............. 2 2 1 ----- ----- ----- Grand Total......... 1,151 1,182 1,225 ===== ===== ===== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION On December 12, 1997, the Company named Richard E. Rivera President of Red Lobster. Mr. Rivera, a 25-year veteran of the casual dining industry, was elected to the Company's Board of Directors on December 17, 1997. In other action on December 17, 1997, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase an additional 15 million shares of the Company's common stock in its ongoing share repurchase program. During the fiscal 1998 second quarter, the Company purchased approximately 2.3 million shares of its common stock for a cumulative total at the end of the quarter of approximately 11.4 million shares purchased under its then current authorization to buy up to 15.8 million shares. In conjunction with this action, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to issue up to five million additional 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 continue to be coordinated with its share repurchase program. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits. Exhibit 11 Determination of Common Shares and Common Share Equivalents Exhibit 12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings (Loss) to Fixed Charges Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K. (i) On September 16, 1997, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K to announce the restructuring of the Company's Canadian operations and the closing of fifteen (15) Red Lobster restaurants and eleven (11) The Olive Garden restaurants in Canada. (ii) On September 26, 1997, the Company filed a current report on Form 8-K to announce first quarter financial results for fiscal year 1998 and to announce its semi-annual dividend of four cents per share. 10 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: December 18, 1997 By: /s/ C.L. Whitehill ------------------------------------- C.L. Whitehill Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Dated: December 18, 1997 By: /s/ James D. Smith ------------------------------------- James D. Smith Senior Vice President - Finance (Principal financial and accounting officer) 11 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Exhibit Title Page - ------- ------------- ---- 11 Determination of Common Shares and Common Share Equivalents 13 12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings (Loss) to Fixed Charges 14 27 Financial Data Schedule 15 12