Restaurant Brands vs Darden

This page compares Restaurant Brands International and Darden Restaurants, Inc., presenting their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible way. It outlines strategy, operations, and competitive positioning without advice or recommendations, helping readers understand the respective approaches. Educational content, not financial advice.

This page compares Restaurant Brands International and Darden Restaurants, Inc., presenting their business models, financial performance, and market context in a neutral, accessible way. It outlines s...

Comparison Snapshot

Key Financial Metrics

QSR

Metric

DRI

$21.96B

Market Cap

$23.13B

2.49%

Potential Profit

7.48%

Buy

Analyst Rating

Buy

Why It's Moving

RBI Seals $350M China JV to Supercharge Burger King Expansion

CPE's $350M investment accelerates development, paired with a 20-year exclusive master agreement for Burger King in China.
Current 1,250 locations set for massive scale-up to 4,000+ by 2035, prioritizing food quality and same-store sales growth.
CEO Josh Kobza hails China as a prime global opportunity, bolstering long-term ambitions with a proven partner.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

RBI Seals $350M China JV to Supercharge Burger King Expansion

CPE's $350M investment accelerates development, paired with a 20-year exclusive master agreement for Burger King in China.
Current 1,250 locations set for massive scale-up to 4,000+ by 2035, prioritizing food quality and same-store sales growth.
CEO Josh Kobza hails China as a prime global opportunity, bolstering long-term ambitions with a proven partner.

Sentiment:

🐃Bullish

Investment Analysis

Restaurant Brands

QSR

Pros

Restaurant Brands International surpassed analyst earnings and revenue estimates for Q3 2025, indicating strong operational performance.
The company reported a 6.9% system-wide sales growth, reflecting robust consumer demand across its global brand portfolio.
Restaurant Brands International exhibits effective cost management converting sales growth into higher profitability.

Considerations

Shares have experienced recent negative movement prior to the earnings beat, signalling some prior investor concerns.
The company's market capitalization of approximately $22 billion places it in a more moderate scale relative to some larger competitors.
Price-to-earnings ratio near 18.76 suggests the stock could be moderately valued, requiring scrutiny against growth prospects.

Darden

DRI

Pros

Darden operates a diversified portfolio of 11 well-known restaurant brands, providing revenue diversification.
The company maintains steady unit growth targets of 2%-3% annually, supported by strong restaurant margin recovery.
Darden's stock trades near its fair value, indicating a balanced market perception relative to its fundamentals.

Considerations

Darden’s stock price showed slight short-term volatility with recent trading near $177-$180 in early November 2025.
Fair value estimates suggest the stock could be overvalued compared to some analyst price targets below current levels.
Exposure to full-service dining may present greater vulnerability to economic cycles compared to quick-service peers.

Related Market Insights

Private Equity's Restaurant Shopping Spree: Why Apollo's Papa John's Bid Signals Bigger Things

Apollo's Papa John's bid signals private equity's appetite for restaurant brands. Discover potential buyout targets & event-driven investment opportunities with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

October 15, 2025

Read Insight

Related Market Insights

Private Equity's Restaurant Shopping Spree: Why Apollo's Papa John's Bid Signals Bigger Things

Apollo's Papa John's bid signals private equity's appetite for restaurant brands. Discover potential buyout targets & event-driven investment opportunities with Nemo.

Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst

October 15, 2025

Read Insight

About The Companies

Restaurant Brands (QSR)

Restaurant Brands International (QSR) owns and franchises well-known quick-service brands including Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeyes. Investors should know it operates a predominantly franchised model that generates recurring revenue through royalties, franchise fees and steady cash flow from company-owned restaurants. RBI’s growth thesis centres on international expansion, menu innovation and digital orders, while cost control and franchisee relations remain important to margins. Key risks include intense competition in fast food, fluctuations in commodity prices and currencies, and regulatory or labour pressures in different markets. The firm’s sizeable market capitalisation and diversified brand portfolio can offer exposure to global consumer trends, but performance can vary by region and economic cycles. This summary provides general information for educational purposes only and is not personal advice; investors should assess their own risk tolerance and consider seeking independent financial advice before acting.

Darden (DRI)

Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) operates a portfolio of full‑service casual‑dining restaurants in the United States, with well‑known brands such as Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The company primarily runs company‑owned restaurants and earns revenue from dine‑in, takeout, delivery and catering. With a market capitalisation near $21.8 billion, Darden’s scale supports centralised purchasing, marketing and operational capabilities that can help margins and cash flow generation. Key performance indicators for investors include same‑restaurant sales, unit growth, average check, and margin trends driven by food and labour costs. Strengths include brand recognition and operating scale; risks include sensitivity to consumer discretionary spending, commodity and labour inflation, and competitive pressure from fast‑casual and delivery platforms. Darden has historically returned capital to shareholders via dividends and buybacks, but past behaviour is not a guarantee of future policy. This summary is for general educational purposes only and not personalised investment advice. Investors should review financials and consider their objectives or consult a qualified adviser.

Restaurant Brands (QSR) Next Earnings Date

Restaurant Brands International (QSR) is scheduled to report its next earnings on February 12, 2026, prior to market open. This release will cover the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. The date aligns with the company's official announcement and consensus estimates from multiple financial data providers.

Restaurant Brands (QSR) Next Earnings Date

Restaurant Brands International (QSR) is scheduled to report its next earnings on February 12, 2026, prior to market open. This release will cover the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2025. The date aligns with the company's official announcement and consensus estimates from multiple financial data providers.

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Restaurant Buyouts (Apollo Interest) Drive Focus

Apollo Global's renewed bid for Papa John's highlights a growing trend of private equity interest in the restaurant industry. This theme focuses on other publicly traded restaurant chains that could be the next attractive takeover targets.

Published: October 15, 2025

Explore Basket

Which Baskets Do They Appear In?

Restaurant Buyouts (Apollo Interest) Drive Focus

Apollo Global's renewed bid for Papa John's highlights a growing trend of private equity interest in the restaurant industry. This theme focuses on other publicly traded restaurant chains that could be the next attractive takeover targets.

Published: October 15, 2025

Explore Basket

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Comparison Snapshot

Why It's Moving

RBI Seals $350M China JV to Supercharge Burger King Expansion

RBI Seals $350M China JV to Supercharge Burger King Expansion