Darden Restaurants (DRI) Stock Buyback History
TTM buyback yield 2.36% · Shareholder yield (TTM) 2.36%.
TTM buyback yield
2.36%
Shareholder yield (TTM)
2.36%
5Y share count change
-3.5%
TTM buyback spend
$585.40M
SBC coverage (TTM)
7.22x
YoY change in spend
-7.9%
5Y CAGR of spend
+4.8%
Peak year (2022)
$1.07B
Cumulative spend
$7.96B
TTM metrics calculated from the four most recent reported quarters, ending (reported ).
Key takeaways
- Darden Restaurants (DRI) repurchased about $585.40M of stock over the trailing twelve months.
- Diluted share count is down 3.5% over the last ~5 fiscal years — buybacks are net-shrinking the share base.
- TTM buyback ÷ stock-based-comp ratio of 7.22× — repurchases more than cover SBC dilution.
- Cash buyback spend has compounded at +4.8% per year over the latest 5-year window.
- TTM repurchases used about 67% of free cash flow remaining after dividends.
Buyback context per fiscal year
Annual repurchases alongside stock-based compensation, diluted share count and the year-over-year change — useful for SBC-coverage and dilution-offset reading at a glance.
| Year | Buybacks | SBC | Net | Shares (dil.) | YoY shares | Buyback yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $418.20M | $79.10M | $339.10M | 0.12B | -2.0% | 1.75% |
| 2024 | $453.90M | $68.50M | $385.40M | 0.12B | -1.7% | 2.58% |
| 2023 | $458.70M | $67.50M | $391.20M | 0.12B | -4.7% | 2.39% |
| 2022 | $1.07B | $60.50M | $1.01B | 0.13B | -2.1% | 5.81% |
| 2021 | $45.40M | $72.40M | −$27.00M | 0.13B | 7.4% | 0.25% |
| 2020 | $330.30M | $53.00M | $277.30M | 0.12B | -2.2% | 3.39% |
| 2019 | $207.50M | $59.80M | $147.70M | 0.13B | -0.5% | 1.45% |
| 2018 | $234.80M | $42.80M | $192.00M | 0.13B | 0.0% | 2.17% |
| 2017 | $230.20M | $40.70M | $189.50M | 0.13B | -2.6% | 2.07% |
| 2016 | $184.80M | $37.30M | $147.50M | 0.13B | -0.3% | 2.16% |
| 2015 | $502.30M | $53.70M | $448.60M | 0.13B | -2.6% | 6.75% |
| 2014 | $500.00K | $46.80M | −$46.30M | 0.13B | 1.2% | 0.01% |
| 2013 | $52.40M | $49.30M | $3.10M | 0.13B | -1.2% | 0.87% |
| 2012 | $375.10M | $46.70M | $328.40M | 0.13B | -5.1% | 6.30% |
| 2011 | $385.50M | $66.60M | $318.90M | 0.14B | -1.5% | 6.31% |
| 2010 | $85.10M | $53.50M | $31.60M | 0.14B | 1.4% | 1.57% |
| 2009 | $144.90M | $41.50M | $103.40M | 0.14B | -3.2% | 3.13% |
| 2008 | $159.40M | $0.00 | $159.40M | 0.15B | -2.5% | 3.76% |
| 2007 | $371.20M | $0.00 | $371.20M | 0.15B | -5.2% | 6.48% |
| 2006 | $434.20M | $0.00 | $434.20M | 0.16B | -4.0% | 9.35% |
| 2005 | $311.69M | $0.00 | $311.69M | 0.16B | -3.7% | 6.91% |
| 2004 | $235.46M | $0.00 | $235.46M | 0.17B | -4.3% | 7.34% |
| 2003 | $213.31M | $0.00 | $213.31M | 0.18B | -3.3% | 7.16% |
| 2002 | $208.58M | $0.00 | $208.58M | 0.18B | -1.1% | 5.09% |
| 2001 | $176.51M | $0.00 | $176.51M | 0.19B | -6.1% | 6.00% |
| 2000 | $202.10M | $0.00 | $202.10M | 0.20B | -7.1% | — |
| 1999 | $227.50M | $0.00 | $227.50M | 0.21B | -6.3% | — |
| 1998 | $170.70M | $0.00 | $170.70M | 0.23B | -1.8% | — |
| 1997 | $44.10M | $0.00 | $44.10M | 0.23B | -2.8% | — |
| 1996 | $25.00M | $0.00 | $25.00M | 0.24B | — | — |
| 1995 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | — | — | — |
Cash buyback spend (USD) — annual & quarterly history
Trailing-twelve-month and per-period cash repurchases for Darden Restaurants (DRI) from the consolidated cash flow statement (line: common stock repurchased), in USD as filed.
Cash buyback spend over time for Darden Restaurants (DRI)
Per-period cash repurchases
Cash buyback spend annual + quarterly history for Darden Restaurants (DRI)
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Buyback Spend | YoY | YoY change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $418.20M | -7.9% | -$35.70M | ||
| 2024 | $453.90M | -1.0% | -$4.80M | ||
| 2023 | $458.70M | -57.2% | -$612.60M | ||
| 2022 | $1.07B | +2259.7% | +$1.03B | ||
| 2021 | $45.40M | -86.3% | -$284.90M | ||
| 2020 | $330.30M | +59.2% | +$122.80M | ||
| 2019 | $207.50M | -11.6% | -$27.30M | ||
| 2018 | $234.80M | +2.0% | +$4.60M | ||
| 2017 | $230.20M | +24.6% | +$45.40M | ||
| 2016 | $184.80M | -63.2% | -$317.50M | ||
| 2015 | $502.30M | +100360.0% | +$501.80M | ||
| 2014 | $500,000 | -99.0% | -$51.90M | ||
| 2013 | $52.40M | -86.0% | -$322.70M | ||
| 2012 | $375.10M | -2.7% | -$10.40M | ||
| 2011 | $385.50M | +353.0% | +$300.40M | ||
| 2010 | $85.10M | -41.3% | -$59.80M | ||
| 2009 | $144.90M | -9.1% | -$14.50M | ||
| 2008 | $159.40M | -57.1% | -$211.80M | ||
| 2007 | $371.20M | -14.5% | -$63.00M | ||
| 2006 | $434.20M | +39.3% | +$122.51M | ||
| 2005 | $311.69M | +32.4% | +$76.22M | ||
| 2004 | $235.46M | +10.4% | +$22.15M | ||
| 2003 | $213.31M | +2.3% | +$4.73M | ||
| 2002 | $208.58M | +18.2% | +$32.07M | ||
| 2001 | $176.51M | -12.7% | -$25.59M | ||
| 2000 | $202.10M | -11.2% | -$25.39M | ||
| 1999 | $227.50M | +33.3% | +$56.80M | ||
| 1998 | $170.70M | +287.1% | +$126.60M | ||
| 1997 | $44.10M | +76.4% | +$19.10M | ||
| 1996 | $25.00M | — | +$25.00M | ||
| 1995 | $0 | — | — |
In 2025, Darden Restaurants (DRI) buyback spend totalled $418.20M – declined 7.9% year-over-year.
Darden Restaurants buyback spend compound annual growth for the 2020–2025 (5 years) window is +4.8%, with the latest reading among the more recent periods of the dataset.
Darden Restaurants buyback spend peaked at $1.07B in 2022; the latest annual figure is $418.20M in 2025 (61.0% below peak).
2022 marks the peak buyback spend at $1.07B, with the historical low of $0 recorded in 1995.
Among 8 Consumer Cyclical peers, Darden Restaurants (DRI) ranks 5th; the peer median for buyback spend is $1.03B.
Darden Restaurants Buyback Spend 2025: $418.20M
Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2025 was $418.20M, declined 7.9% below 2024.
Darden Restaurants Buyback Spend 2024: $453.90M
Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2024 was $453.90M, edged down 1.0% below 2023.
Darden Restaurants Buyback Spend 2023: $458.70M
Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2023 was $458.70M, plunged 57.2% below 2022.
Darden Restaurants Buyback Spend 2022: $1.07B
Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2022 was $1.07B, surged 2259.7% from 2021. This figure represents the highest annual value in the available history.
Darden Restaurants Buyback Spend 2021: $45.40M
Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2021 was $45.40M.
See more financial history for Darden Restaurants (DRI).
Sector peers by buyback spend
Companies in the same sector as Darden Restaurants, ranked by their latest buyback spend.
| Company | Buyback Spend | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Alibaba (BABA) | $87.36B | Consumer Cyclical |
| Booking Holdings (BKNG) | $6.44B | Consumer Cyclical |
| TJX Companies (TJX) | $2.52B | Consumer Cyclical |
| McDonald's (MCD) | $2.06B | Consumer Cyclical |
| Amazon (AMZN) | $0 | Consumer Cyclical |
| Tesla (TSLA) | $0 | Consumer Cyclical |
| Home Depot (HD) | $0 | Consumer Cyclical |
| PDD Holdings (PDD) | $0 | Consumer Cyclical |
Share count history
Diluted weighted-average shares drive the EPS denominator and per-share capital-return maths. A falling diluted share count means buybacks are outpacing dilution from stock-based compensation and option exercises.
Diluted vs basic shares (annual)
Year-over-year change in diluted shares
Green is fewer shares vs the prior fiscal year (net repurchase); red is growth (dilution). The earliest year shown has no prior year to compare.
Dividend & buyback yield over time
Stacked annual yields — buyback yield (TTM cash repurchases ÷ market cap) plus dividend yield from the same fiscal-year-end key-metrics period — show how total cash return per dollar of equity has evolved.
Buybacks vs stock-based compensation
Annual cash repurchases set against stock-based compensation. Coverage above 1× means buybacks fully offset the equity dilution from SBC. TTM coverage: 7.22×.
Capital allocation mix
How Darden Restaurants splits cash returned to shareholders between dividends and buybacks, plus the headroom on free cash flow that's still available for additional repurchases.
Buybacks vs dividends (share of cash returned)
Buyback capacity (TTM)
Free cash flow minus dividends paid versus actual TTM repurchases — the headroom bar shows how much of post-dividend FCF is still being deployed elsewhere.
Headroom $880.00M (TTM FCF − TTM dividends, clamped at zero).
Data & methodology
Where do buyback, dividend and compensation figures come from?
Cash buyback spend (common stock repurchased), dividends paid and stock-based compensation come from Darden Restaurants's consolidated cash flow statements — quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K SEC filings, in USD as reported.
How are diluted shares and yields calculated?
Diluted weighted-average share counts come from the income statement (EPS denominator). Trailing twelve-month (TTM) aggregates sum the four most recent reported quarters. Buyback and dividend yields divide TTM cash flows by market capitalisation at the latest quarter-end.
How is buyback capacity defined?
Capacity compares TTM repurchases to free cash flow after dividends: operating cash flow minus capital expenditure, minus dividends paid, versus actual buybacks over the same trailing window.
Is this investment advice?
No. Figures are for informational and educational use only. Past buybacks and dividends do not predict future returns.
Frequently asked questions
Does Darden Restaurants buy back its own stock?
Yes, Darden Restaurants (DRI) has repurchased shares in recent periods. See the history table and charts on this page for amounts and trends.
How much does Darden Restaurants spend on share buybacks?
Trailing twelve months (TTM) buyback spend is about $585.40M (sum of the last four quarterly cash-flow periods in our data). Figures are illustrative; verify in filings.
What is Darden Restaurants's buyback yield?
TTM buyback yield is about 2.36% (TTM buyback spend divided by market cap at the latest quarter-end in our data).
What is Darden Restaurants's shareholder yield?
Shareholder yield combines dividend yield and buyback yield. For the latest period we show approximately 2.36% combined (TTM-based where available).
Is Darden Restaurants diluting shareholders?
Compare stock-based compensation (SBC) to buybacks in the chart above. Net effect varies by year; see annual buyback vs SBC bars and the history table.
How has Darden Restaurants's share count changed?
Diluted weighted average shares changed by about -3.5% over roughly five fiscal years (annual income statement data).
What is Darden Restaurants's buyback spend?
Latest reported buyback spend for Darden Restaurants (DRI) is $585.40M (period ending February 22, 2026).
How has Darden Restaurants buyback spend changed year-over-year?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) buyback spend changed -7.9% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Darden Restaurants buyback spend?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) buyback spend compound annual growth rate is +4.8% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Darden Restaurants buyback spend hit its highest annual value?
Darden Restaurants buyback spend reached its highest annual value of $1.07B in 2022.
What was Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2024?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) buyback spend in 2024 was $453.90M.
What was Darden Restaurants buyback spend in 2025?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) buyback spend in 2025 was $418.20M.
Explore more
DRI Overview
Company profile, financial tools, and key metrics
DRI Revenue Counter
Earns $404.74 every second. See per minute, hour, and day.
DRI Earnings Counter
Earns $35.06 per second net profit. See per minute, hour, and day.
DRI Economic Scale
Exceeds Somalia, Fed. Rep.'s GDP. Compare with world economies.
DRI What If Invested
What if you had invested $1,000? See historical returns from any date.
DRI How It Makes Money
Discover visual breakdown of $12.76B in revenue — where it comes from and where it goes.
DRI Stock Seasonality
Best and worst months to invest. Historical monthly returns heatmap.
DRI Price Target Scenarios
Model bear, base, and bull cases with EPS growth and exit P/E — pre-filled from analysts and history.
DRI Daily Price Character
Balanced · 49.2% historical win rate (green days). Streaks & record days.
DRI Stock Split History
2 splits on record. Dates, ratios, and cumulative multiple.
DRI Dividend Profile
Yield: 3.04%. Safety: 4/8. See full history.
DRI Dividend Calculator
How much dividend income would $1,000 have earned? Calculate from any date.
DRI Dividend Forecast
Project future income with DRIP, growth assumptions, and optional monthly contributions.
DRI Dividend Capture
Historical pre-ex touch stats, gap distribution, after-tax calculator, and a backtest simulator (limit-order vs MOC exit).
DRI Financials
Revenue, EPS, EBITDA, market cap, debt and balance sheet history with annual and quarterly data.