Olive Garden Owner Darden Restaurants Reports 6% Sales Increase: 'Executing At The Highest Level'

Darden Restaurant Inc., the parent company of Olive Garden, reported better-than-expected same-store sales for the fiscal second quarter. (Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Darden Restaurant Inc.'s shares soared 15% Thursday as it reported better-than-expected same-store sales for the fiscal second quarter, driven by Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.

The Orlando-based company, which operates more than 2,100 restaurants around the world, said net sales rose 6% to $2.9 billion, beating analysts expectations by $20 million.