Darden Restaurants (DRI) vs Restaurant Brands International (QSR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Darden Restaurants (DRI) has outperformed Restaurant Brands International (QSR) over the past year, gaining 5.2% versus a gain of 3.2%. Over five years, DRI leads with a +35.1% price change compared with +13.1% for QSR. Restaurant Brands International is the larger company by market cap ($31.81 billion vs $22.80 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Restaurant Brands International trades at a lower forward P/E (15.7x vs 16.2x for Darden Restaurants). Restaurant Brands International offers the higher dividend yield (3.66% vs 3.04%). Restaurant Brands International converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 11.4% versus 9.1%.
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 | DRI | QSR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $201.49 | $69.43 |
| Market cap | $22.80B | $31.81B |
| 1-day change | -0.81% | -1.15% |
| YTD return | +9.49% | +1.76% |
| 1-year return | +5.19% | +3.23% |
| 5-year return | +35.09% | +13.13% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.28 | 17.44 |
| Forward P/E | 16.25 | 15.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.45 | $3.98 |
| Dividend yield | 3.04% | 3.66% |
| Annual dividend | $6.12 | $2.54 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $13.21B | $9.43B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.39% | +12.23% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.21B | $1.07B |
| Gross margin | 20.30% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.98% | 23.34% |
| Net margin | 9.13% | 11.39% |
| 52-week high | $229.76 | $81.96 |
| 52-week low | $169.00 | $64.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.30% | -15.29% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.86% | +23.81% |
| Average volume | 1.23M | 2.77M |
| Shares outstanding | 113.14M | 348.76M |
| Employees | 209,931 | 53,500 |
| 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.
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
About Restaurant Brands International
QSR stock →Restaurant Brands International Inc. operates as a quick service restaurant company in Canada, the United States, and internationally.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 53,500 employees
DRI vs QSR FAQ
Which is bigger, Darden Restaurants or Restaurant Brands International?
Restaurant Brands International (QSR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $31.81B compared with $22.80B for Darden Restaurants (DRI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DRI or QSR?
DRI returned +5.19% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.23% for QSR (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DRI or QSR?
QSR has the lower trailing P/E at 17.4, versus 19.3 for DRI. 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, Darden Restaurants or Restaurant Brands International?
Restaurant Brands International has the higher yield at 3.66%, compared with 3.04% for Darden Restaurants.
Are Darden Restaurants and Restaurant Brands International in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.