** Shares of Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants DRI.N up about 4% at $197 premarket

** Co raises annual sales forecasts on resilient demand across its casual dining chains

** Expects annual total sales growth in the range of 8.5% to 9.3%, compared to previous projection of 7.5% to 8.5% rise

** Posts Q2 sales rise of 7.3% to $3.10 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $3.07 billion - data compiled by LSEG

** Reports Q2 adjusted EPS of $2.08 per share vs estimate of $2.10 per share

** As of last close, stock up ~2% YTD

(Reporting by Koyena Das in Bengaluru)

((Koyena.das@thomsonreuters.com))