Is Longhorn Steakhouse Darden Restaurants' Real Crown Jewel?

Last November, I highlighted Olive Garden as Darden Restaurants' (DRI 1.34%) crown jewel. While Olive Garden remains Darden's largest brand and the biggest Italian restaurant chain in the U.S., it has been a drag on Darden's performance. While Darden executives have been working on turning around Olive Garden, they're still coming up short. Same-store sales in the most recent quarter declined 5.4% at Olive Garden.

Source: Darden Restaurants

However, things are looking better for Darden at its Longhorn Steakhouse brand. While Longhorn Steakhouse did face some headwinds in the most recent quarter due to the severe winter weather, it still managed to post a positive same-store sales gain of 0.3%. This was an even better performance than Darden's Specialty Restaurant Group, which posted a decline of 0.7%.

Source: Longhorn Steakhouse

Now that Darden Restaurants is selling Red Lobster to Golden Gate Capital for $2.1 billion, is it time for Darden to turn its attention toward Longhorn Steakhouse? Longhorn Steakhouse has been ignored within the Darden portfolio and been overshadowed by the struggles at Olive Garden and Red Lobster. If Darden focuses more on Longhorn Steakhouse, what would this mean for Outback Steakhouse, owned by Bloomin' Brands (BLMN -0.85%), and Texas Roadhouse (TXRH 1.55%)?

Beefing up its business
Longhorn Steakhouse was purchased by Darden Restaurants in 2007. Each restaurant is decorated in a western motif and features fresh -- never frozen -- steaks, ribs, chicken, and seafood. Third-quarter sales rose slightly more than 9% to $363 million. Darden has about 464 Longhorn Steakhouse locations.

Longhorn Steakhouse is running a series of specials this summer hoping to boost sales. New limited time only menu items include a pineapple-topped Hawaiian ribeye, grilled lobster chops, and a tilapia and grilled shrimp combo. Side items added include grilled corn on the cob, fried green tomatoes, and a grilled watermelon wedge salad.

Source: nrn.com

Longhorn Steakhouse also just introduced its first nationwide happy hour menu. The Prime Time menu was launched last month and features drink and snack specials every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is a $3 menu with draft beer and appetizers such as house made kettle chips. The $4 menu offers house wine and Spicy Chicken Bites or Crispy Jalapeno Shooters. On the $5 menu, there are specialty cocktails and snacks such as Wild West Shrimp Tacos and a Shrimp & Avocado Stack.

How is Outback Steakhouse faring?
For the first 13 weeks of the year, Outback Steakhouse saw same-store sales rise 0.8%. Part of this increase came from a restructuring of the Outback Steakhouse brand that Bloomin' Brands instituted. At year-end 2013, Bloomin' Brands decided to close 22 underperforming locations. By eliminating the locations that were underperforming, Outback Steakhouse was able to post a positive number companywide.

Source: nrn.com

Last month, Outback Steakhouse introduced its new Moonshine BBQ menu. This limited time menu will run at all 767 domestic Outback locations until July 8. The menu incorporates barbecue and un-aged whiskey in its items. There are also three Moonshine cocktails that are priced at $5.50 each.

How about Texas Roadhouse?
Texas Roadhouse posted a very strong first quarter. Same-store sales increased 2.8% at company-owned restaurants and 3.8% at franchised locations. Overall, total revenue increased 10% for the company. During the quarter, six new company-owned restaurants and one franchised location were opened. Texas Roadhouse also returned $24.2 million to shareholders in the form of share buybacks.