Aramark (ARMK) vs Darden Restaurants (DRI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Aramark (ARMK) has outperformed Darden Restaurants (DRI) over the past year, gaining 44.4% versus a gain of 4.9%. Over five years, ARMK leads with a +111.2% price change compared with +34.7% for DRI. Darden Restaurants is the larger company by market cap ($22.80 billion vs $14.61 billion), about 1.6 times the size.
On valuation, Darden Restaurants trades at a lower forward P/E (16.2x vs 19.7x for Aramark). Darden Restaurants offers the higher dividend yield (3.04% vs 0.87%). Darden Restaurants converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.1% versus 1.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARMK | DRI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $55.42 | $201.49 |
| Market cap | $14.61B | $22.80B |
| 1-day change | -0.05% | -0.81% |
| YTD return | +50.35% | +9.15% |
| 1-year return | +44.40% | +4.86% |
| 5-year return | +111.16% | +34.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 38.76 | 19.28 |
| Forward P/E | 19.71 | 16.25 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.43 | $10.45 |
| Dividend yield | 0.87% | 3.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.48 | $6.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $18.51B | $13.21B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.35% | +9.39% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $326.39M | $1.21B |
| Gross margin | 8.36% | 20.30% |
| Operating margin | 4.28% | 11.98% |
| Net margin | 1.76% | 9.13% |
| 52-week high | $62.65 | $229.76 |
| 52-week low | $35.07 | $169.00 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.54% | -12.30% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.60% | +15.86% |
| Average volume | 2.44M | 1.23M |
| Shares outstanding | 263.63M | 113.14M |
| Employees | 278,390 | 209,931 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ARMK has outperformed DRI by 39.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Aramark trades at a higher earnings multiple (38.8x vs 19.3x trailing P/E).
- Darden Restaurants offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.04% vs 0.87%).
- Darden Restaurants is more profitable, keeping 9.1 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 1.8 cents for Aramark.
About Aramark
ARMK stock →Aramark provides food and facilities services to education, healthcare, business and industry, sports, leisure, and corrections clients in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Food and Support Services United States, and Food and Support Services International.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 278,390 employees
About Darden Restaurants
DRI stock →Darden Restaurants, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates full-service restaurants in the United States and Canada. The company operates under Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, Chuy's, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Bahama Breeze, The Capital Burger, Darden and Darden Restaurants brand names.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 209,931 employees
ARMK vs DRI FAQ
Which is bigger, Aramark or Darden Restaurants?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $22.80B compared with $14.61B for Aramark (ARMK).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARMK or DRI?
ARMK returned +44.40% over the past 12 months, compared with +4.86% for DRI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARMK or DRI?
DRI has the lower trailing P/E at 19.3, versus 38.8 for ARMK. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Aramark or Darden Restaurants?
Darden Restaurants has the higher yield at 3.04%, compared with 0.87% for Aramark.
Are Aramark and Darden Restaurants in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.