Darden Restaurants, Inc. (DRI) vs Packaging Corporation of America (PKG)
DRI leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and Packaging Corporation of America across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
DRI
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
$210.59Consumer Cyclical
PKG
Packaging Corporation of America
$232.83Consumer Cyclical
Total return — DRI vs PKG
growth of $100 · last 26yDRI +2140.3%PKG +1840.3%DRI compounded faster
DRI PKG
DRI vs PKG: by the numbers
- •DRI is the larger company ($24.12B vs $20.74B market cap).
- •DRI trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.28 vs 28.32 P/E).
- •DRI converts more revenue to profit (8.66% vs 8.03% net margin).
- •DRI grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.79% vs 6.41% CAGR).
- •DRI pays the higher dividend yield (2.85% vs 2.25%).
Which is better, DRI or PKG?
Metric tally: DRI 11 · PKG 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueDRI(lower P/E)
GrowthDRI(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeDRI(higher dividend yield)
QualityDRI(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | DRI | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.28● | 28.32 |
| Forward P/E | 18.48● | 22.50 |
| P/S ratio | 1.93● | 2.25 |
| P/B ratio | 11.68 | 4.52● |
| PEG ratio | 5.44 | 2.34● |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.65 | 13.31● |
| FCF yield | 6.37%● | 3.39% |
Profitability
| Metric | DRI | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.03%● | 20.48% |
| Operating margin | 11.62% | 13.16%● |
| Net margin | 8.66%● | 8.03% |
| ROE | 52.55%● | 16.14% |
| ROIC | 11.40%● | 9.44% |
Dividends
| Metric | DRI | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.85%● | 2.25% |
| Payout ratio | 67.19% | 60.98% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | DRI | PKG |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 12.79%● | 6.41% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 7.54% | 12.12%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 31.89%● | 4.94% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 12.89% | 14.92%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, DRI or PKG?
- It depends on your goal. value: DRI (lower P/E); growth: DRI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: DRI (higher dividend yield); quality: DRI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, DRI leads 11 to 6.
- Is DRI or PKG cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, DRI is cheaper: DRI trades at a 22.28 P/E and PKG at 28.32.
- Which has grown faster, DRI or PKG?
- Over the past five years, DRI grew revenue faster — DRI at a 12.79% CAGR versus PKG at 6.41%.
- Does DRI or PKG pay a bigger dividend?
- DRI yields 2.85% and PKG yields 2.25% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is DRI or PKG more profitable?
- DRI runs the higher net margin — DRI at 8.66% versus PKG at 8.03%.
- Which has been the better investment, DRI or PKG?
- Over the past 10-year, PKG delivered the higher annualized total return — DRI at 15.24% versus PKG at 16.26%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Darden Restaurants P/E ratioPackaging Corporation of America P/E ratioDarden Restaurants dividend yieldPackaging Corporation of America dividend yieldDarden Restaurants ROEPackaging Corporation of America ROEDarden Restaurants operating marginPackaging Corporation of America operating marginDarden Restaurants revenue growthPackaging Corporation of America revenue growthDarden Restaurants free cash flowPackaging Corporation of America free cash flow
Darden Restaurants & Packaging Corporation of America appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 24, 2026.