================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ---------------------------------- FORM 10-Q ---------------------------------- (MarkOne) [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the quarterly period ended February 22, 1998 [ ] 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 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) of 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 March 20, 1998: 142,749,933 (excluding 18,185,103 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 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 9 Part II - Other Information Item 5. Other Information 11 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 11 Signatures 12 Index to Exhibits 13 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 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, 1998 February 23, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales...................................... $ 811,261 $ 800,846 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages..................... 269,164 277,824 Restaurant labor....................... 263,382 258,555 Restaurant expenses.................... 113,065 116,908 ---------- ---------- Total Cost of Sales.................. $ 645,611 $ 653,287 Selling, general and administrative...... 83,269 85,245 Depreciation and amortization............ 32,074 35,067 Interest, net............................ 5,079 5,634 ---------- ---------- Total Costs and Expenses........... $ 766,033 $ 779,233 ---------- ---------- Earnings before Income Taxes............... 45,228 21,613 Income Taxes............................... (15,470) (5,890) ---------- ---------- Net Earnings............................... $ 29,758 $ 15,723 ========== ========== Net Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted.. $ 0.20 $ 0.10 ========== ========== Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic.................................... 148,100 154,200 ========== ========== Diluted.................................. 151,300 154,900 ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 2 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) (UNAUDITED) Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, 1998 February 23, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales...................................... $ 2,365,855 $ 2,355,158 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages..................... 776,973 803,621 Restaurant labor....................... 775,328 757,763 Restaurant expenses.................... 353,750 360,090 ----------- ----------- Total Cost of Sales.................. $ 1,906,051 $ 1,921,474 Selling, general and administrative.... 256,886 277,636 Depreciation and amortization.......... 95,159 105,170 Interest, net.......................... 14,495 16,191 ----------- ----------- Total Costs and Expenses........... $ 2,272,591 $ 2,320,471 ----------- ----------- Earnings before Income Taxes............... 93,264 34,687 Income Taxes............................... (31,568) (9,660) ----------- ----------- Net Earnings............................... $ 61,696 $ 25,027 =========== =========== Net Earnings per Share, Basic and Diluted.. $ 0.41 $ 0.16 =========== =========== Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: Basic.................................... 150,300 156,500 =========== =========== Diluted.................................. 152,200 157,400 =========== =========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 3 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS) (Unaudited) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, 1998 May 25, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents..................... $ 35,679 $ 25,490 Receivables................................... 27,363 16,333 Refundable income taxes, net.................. 4,550 16,968 Inventories................................... 176,276 132,241 Net assets held for disposal.................. 50,618 47,471 Prepaid expenses and other current assets..... 13,048 14,709 Deferred income taxes......................... 79,963 84,157 ----------- ----------- Total Current Assets........................ $ 387,497 $ 337,369 Land, Buildings and Equipment................... 1,500,552 1,533,272 Other Assets.................................... 95,105 93,081 ----------- ----------- Total Assets............................ $ 1,983,154 $ 1,963,722 =========== =========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable.............................. $ 138,989 $ 113,087 Short-term debt............................... 33,500 43,400 Current portion of long-term debt............. 5 5 Accrued payroll............................... 68,535 58,312 Other accrued taxes........................... 21,907 22,180 Other current liabilities..................... 256,910 243,596 ----------- ----------- Total Current Liabilities................... $ 519,846 $ 480,580 Long-term Debt.................................. 310,871 313,187 Deferred Income Taxes........................... 73,731 70,118 Other Liabilities............................... 19,007 18,624 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities......................... $ 923,455 $ 882,509 ----------- ----------- Stockholders' Equity: Common stock and surplus...................... $ 1,277,633 $ 1,268,656 Retained earnings (deficit)................... 13,985 (41,706) Treasury stock................................ (156,102) (69,184) Cumulative foreign currency adjustment........ (11,129) (10,037) Unearned compensation......................... (64,688) (66,516) ----------- ----------- Total Stockholders' Equity................ $ 1,059,699 $ 1,081,213 ----------- ----------- Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity................................ $ 1,983,154 $ 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 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, February 23, 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Flows--Operating Activities: Net earnings...................................... $ 29,758 $ 15,723 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flow: Depreciation and amortization................. 32,074 35,067 Amortization of unearned compensation and loan costs.................................. 882 960 Change in current assets and liabilities...... 34,770 28,461 Change in other liabilities .................. 117 91 Loss on disposal of land, buildings and equipment................................... 149 1,593 Deferred income taxes......................... 766 4,581 Other, net.................................... 232 (71) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities. $ 98,748 $ 86,405 ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Investment Activities: Purchases of land, buildings and equipment....... (31,068) (42,548) Purchases of intangibles......................... (393) (88) Decrease in other assets......................... 22 247 Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment (including net assets held for disposal)...................................... 11,067 9,569 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Investment Activities... $ (20,372) $ (32,820) ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock........... 2,994 337 Income tax benefit credited to equity............ 577 71 Purchases of treasury stock...................... (40,253) (34,813) ESOP note receivable repayment................... 600 1,000 Decrease in short-term debt...................... (28,800) (11,000) Repayment of long-term debt...................... (600) (1,000) Proceeds from issuance of equity puts............ 716 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Financing Activities.... $ (64,766) $ (45,405) ---------- ---------- Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents.............. 13,610 8,180 Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period.... 22,069 20,607 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period.......... $ 35,679 $ 28,787 ========== ========== Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Receivables.................................... $ (7,863) $ (1,805) Refundable income taxes, net.................... 7,403 1,670 Inventories..................................... 6,558 (7,524) Prepaid expenses and other current assets....... (601) 3,170 Accounts payable................................ 6,745 22,805 Accrued payroll................................. 9,071 3,246 Other accrued taxes............................. (1,435) (2,106) Other current liabilities....................... 14,892 9,005 ---------- ---------- Change in Current Assets and Liabilities...... $ 34,770 $ 28,461 ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 5 DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED) Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, February 23, 1998 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash Flows--Operating Activities: Net earnings...................................... $ 61,696 $ 25,027 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash flow: Depreciation and amortization................. 95,159 105,170 Amortization of unearned compensation and loan costs.................................. 2,599 2,781 Change in current assets and liabilities...... 7,024 (20,806) Change in other liabilities .................. 383 272 Loss on disposal of land, buildings and equipment................................... 1,700 4,461 Deferred income taxes......................... 7,807 12,611 Other, net.................................... 338 10 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities. $ 176,706 $ 129,526 ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Investment Activities: Purchases of land, buildings and equipment........ (87,181) (125,948) Purchases of intangibles.......................... (1,264) (617) (Increase) decrease in other assets............... (3,045) 1,265 Proceeds from disposal of land, buildings and equipment (including net assets held for disposal)....................................... 20,128 22,303 ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Investment Activities.... $ (71,362) $ (102,997) ---------- ---------- Cash Flows--Financing Activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock............ 5,490 1,275 Income tax benefit credited to equity............. 1,156 360 Dividends paid.................................... (6,005) (6,284) Purchases of treasury stock....................... (86,918) (44,005) ESOP note receivable repayments................... 2,400 1,600 Increase (decrease) in short-term debt............ (9,900) 6,700 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.......... 16,900 Repayment of long-term debt....................... (2,405) (4,454) Proceeds from issuance of equity puts............. 1,027 Payment of loan costs............................. (177) ---------- ---------- Net Cash Used by Financing Activities..... $ (95,155) $ (28,085) ---------- ---------- Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents.... 10,189 (1,556) Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning of Period..... 25,490 30,343 ---------- ---------- Cash and Cash Equivalents - End of Period........... $ 35,679 $ 28,787 ========== ========== Cash Flow from Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities: Receivables..................................... $ (11,030) $ (5,932) Refundable income taxes, net.................... 12,418 (9,555) Inventories..................................... (44,035) (26,701) Prepaid expenses and other current assets....... 1,661 2,528 Accounts payable................................ 25,902 24,267 Accrued payroll................................. 10,223 2,848 Accrued income taxes............................ (12,522) Other accrued taxes............................. (273) 923 Other current liabilities....................... 12,158 3,338 ---------- ---------- Change in Current Assets and Liabilities...... $ 7,024 $ (20,806) ========== ========== - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 thirty-nine weeks ended February 22, 1998 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 Darden's annual report on Form 10-K. NOTE 2. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS ------------------------------------- During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended February 22, 1998, Darden paid $8,483 and $16,665, respectively, for interest (net of amount capitalized) and $6,678 and $10,749, respectively, for income taxes. NOTE 3. NET EARNINGS PER SHARE ---------------------- In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings Per Share", which requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. As required, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS 128 in the quarter ended February 22, 1998. All prior year weighted average and per share information has been restated in accordance with SFAS 128. Outstanding stock options issued by the Company represent the only dilutive effect reflected in diluted weighted average shares. Options to purchase 375,000 and 14.0 million shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the thirteen weeks ended February 22, 1998 and February 23, 1997, respectively, because their exercise prices exceeded the average market price of common shares for the period. Options to purchase 8.9 million and 14.1 million shares of common stock were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the thirty-nine weeks ended February 22, 1998 and February 23, 1997, respectively, for the same reason. NOTE 4. 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. 7 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. 8 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 and thirty-nine weeks ended February 22, 1998 and February 23, 1997. Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 22, February 23, February 22, February 23, 1998 1997 1998 1997 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales...................................... 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales: Food and beverages................... 33.2 34.7 32.8 34.1 Restaurant labor..................... 32.5 32.3 32.8 32.2 Restaurant expenses.................. 13.9 14.6 15.0 15.3 ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Cost of Sales................ 79.6% 81.6% 80.6% 81.6% Selling, general and administrative.... 10.3 10.6 10.9 11.8 Depreciation and amortization.......... 3.9 4.4 4.0 4.4 Interest, net.......................... 0.6 0.7 0.6 0.7 ------ ------ ------ ------ Total Costs and Expenses......... 94.4% 97.3% 96.1% 98.5% ------ ------ ------ ------ Earnings before Income Taxes............... 5.6 2.7 3.9 1.5 Income Taxes............................... (1.9) (0.7) (1.3) (0.4) ------ ------ ------ ------ Net Earnings .............................. 3.7% 2.0% 2.6% 1.1% ====== ====== ====== ====== - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - --------------------- For the fiscal 1998 third quarter ended February 22, 1998, earnings after tax were $29.8 million or twenty cents per diluted share, compared to earnings after tax of $15.7 million or ten cents per diluted share in the third quarter of fiscal 1997. The increase in third quarter earnings was primarily attributable to strong same store sales at The Olive Garden and improved margins at Red Lobster. Sales of $811.3 million for the quarter, with 65 fewer restaurants at the end of the quarter, were slightly ahead of last year's second quarter. For the first nine months of fiscal 1998, net earnings were $61.7 million or 41 cents per diluted share, compared to $25.0 million or 16 cents per diluted share in the same fiscal 1997 period. Sales approximating $2.4 billion for the nine months of fiscal 1998 were comparable to last year. Food and beverage costs for the quarter were 33.2% of sales, compared to 34.7% of sales last year primarily attributable to reduced costs, pricing and sales mix. Restaurant labor increased to 32.5% of sales compared to last year's 32.3% due to wage rate inflation and higher manager bonuses, net of productivity gains realized during the quarter. Restaurant expenses decreased to 13.9% of sales compared to 14.6% last year. Restaurant level profit margin increased to 20.4% of sales in the third quarter compared to 18.4% last year. The decrease in third quarter selling, general and administrative expense to 10.3% of sales compared to 10.6% of sales last year was mainly attributable to reduced marketing expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense declined to 3.9% of sales compared to 4.4% in the prior year. This decline resulted from restaurant closings and asset impairment write-downs subsequent to fiscal 1997's third quarter. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 1998 was 34.2% compared to 27.3% last year. The estimated effective tax rate for fiscal 1998 is approximately 33.9% 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. 9 Food and beverage costs for the first nine months of fiscal 1998 were 32.8% of sales, down from last year's 34.1% and also attributable to reduced costs, pricing and sales mix. Restaurant labor increased to 32.8% of sales compared to last year's 32.2%, also due to wage rate inflation and higher manager bonuses, net of productivity gains. Restaurant expenses were 15.0% of sales, compared to 15.3% in the prior year. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.9% of sales compared to 11.8% in the prior year, again primarily attributable to reduced marketing expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense declined to 4.0% of sales compared to 4.4% in the prior year. This decline also resulted from restaurant closings and asset impairment write-downs subsequent to fiscal 1997's third quarter. DIVISION RESULTS - ---------------- Red Lobster sales of $467.3 million, with 42 fewer restaurants at the end of the quarter, was 1.7% below last year's third quarter. Same-store sales in the U.S. were up 2.8% 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. Third 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 nine months of fiscal 1998, Red Lobster's sales declined 2.4% to $1.35 billion and same-store sales in the U.S. increased by 1.6%. The overall reduction in sales was attributable to units closed subsequent to fiscal 1997's third quarter. The Olive Garden continued its positive momentum in the third quarter of fiscal 1998 with a 5.3% increase in sales to $341.0 million. Same-store sales in the U.S. increased 9.1%, marking the fourteenth consecutive quarter of same-store sales increases. Third quarter operating profits were significantly ahead of last year. Through the first nine months of fiscal 1998, The Olive Garden sales increased 4.0% to $1.0 billion and same-store sales in the U.S. increased by 7.4%. 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 third quarter fiscal year 1998, compared with the number open at the end of May 1997 and the end of last fiscal year's third quarter. NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FEBRUARY 22, 1998 MAY 25, 1997 FEBRUARY 23, 1997 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Red Lobster - USA......... 649 652 674 Red Lobster - Canada...... 35 51 52 ------- ------- ------- Total................ 684 703 726 ------- ------- ------- Olive Garden - USA........ 460 461 473 Olive Garden - Canada..... 5 16 16 ------- ------- ------- Total................ 465 477 489 ------- ------- ------- Bahama Breeze............. 2 2 1 ------- ------- ------- Grand Total...... 1,151 1,182 1,216 ======= ======= ======= - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION On March 26, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") elected Odie C. Donald a Director. Mr. Donald is Group President - Customer Operations for BellSouth Communications in Atlanta. Previously, Mr. Donald was President of BellSouth Mobility, Inc. In other action on March 26, 1998, the Board approved a semi-annual dividend of four cents per share to be paid on May 1, 1998, to shareholders of record on April 10, 1998. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Exhibits. Exhibit 12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges Exhibit 27 Financial Data Schedule (b) Reports on Form 8-K. No reports on Form 8-K were filed for the fiscal quarter covered by this Form 10-Q. 11 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: March 27, 1998 By: /s/ C.L. Whitehill ------------------------------------ C.L. Whitehill Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary Dated: March 27, 1998 By: /s/ James D. Smith ------------------------------------ James D. Smith Senior Vice President - Finance (Principal financial and accounting officer) 12 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Exhibit Number Exhibit Title Page 12 Computation of Ratio of Consolidated Earnings to Fixed Charges 14 27 Financial Data Schedule 15 13