Darden Restaurants (DRI) vs Yum China (YUMC)
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 Yum China (YUMC) over the past year, gaining 4.9% versus a loss of 4.0%. Over five years, DRI leads with a +34.7% price change compared with -32.9% for YUMC. Darden Restaurants is the larger company by market cap ($22.80 billion vs $13.73 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Yum China trades at a lower forward P/E (12.0x vs 16.2x for Darden Restaurants). Darden Restaurants offers the higher dividend yield (3.04% vs 2.61%). Darden Restaurants converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 9.1% versus 7.9%.
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 | YUMC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $201.49 | $40.65 |
| Market cap | $22.80B | $13.73B |
| 1-day change | -0.81% | +0.07% |
| YTD return | +9.15% | -14.43% |
| 1-year return | +4.86% | -4.04% |
| 5-year return | +34.66% | -32.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 19.28 | 14.89 |
| Forward P/E | 16.25 | 12.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $10.45 | $2.73 |
| Dividend yield | 3.04% | 2.61% |
| Annual dividend | $6.12 | $1.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $13.21B | $11.80B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +9.39% | +4.37% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.21B | $929.00M |
| Gross margin | 20.30% | — |
| Operating margin | 11.98% | 10.93% |
| Net margin | 9.13% | 7.87% |
| 52-week high | $229.76 | $58.39 |
| 52-week low | $169.00 | $39.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.30% | -30.38% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +15.86% | +52.32% |
| Average volume | 1.23M | 1.51M |
| Shares outstanding | 113.14M | 337.86M |
| Employees | 209,931 | 130,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Cyclical | Consumer Cyclical |
| 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
- Darden Restaurants trades at a higher earnings multiple (19.3x vs 14.9x trailing P/E).
- Darden Restaurants grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.39% vs +4.37%).
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 Cyclical · Restaurants · 209,931 employees
About Yum China
YUMC stock →Yum China Holdings, Inc. owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China.
Consumer Cyclical · Restaurants · 130,000 employees
DRI vs YUMC FAQ
Which is bigger, Darden Restaurants or Yum China?
Darden Restaurants (DRI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $22.80B compared with $13.73B for Yum China (YUMC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, DRI or YUMC?
DRI returned +4.86% over the past 12 months, compared with -4.04% for YUMC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, DRI or YUMC?
YUMC has the lower trailing P/E at 14.9, 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 Yum China?
Darden Restaurants has the higher yield at 3.04%, compared with 2.61% for Yum China.
Are Darden Restaurants and Yum China in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Cyclical sector.