Darden Restaurants Stock: Analyst Estimates & Ratings

Darden Restaurants, a leading full-service restaurant operator in the U.S., boasts a market capitalization of $25.7 billion. The Orlando-based group operates under renowned brands like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. In the past year, its shares have surged 9.3%, outpacing both the S&P 500 Index's 20.4% increase and State Street Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund's 3% return.

Over the year-to-date period, DRI has climbed 22.4%, beating both the S&P 500's 13.7% gain and the XLY's 1.0% decline.

In fiscal year 2026, Darden Restaurants reported a 13.7% year-over-year sales increase to $3.72 billion. This growth was driven by a 53rd operating week, a 4.6% increase in same-restaurant sales, and 43 net new restaurants. Adjusted diluted EPS rose 22.8% to $3.66, showcasing robust earnings growth despite costs from closures and the Chuy's integration. For the current fiscal year ending in May 2027, analysts project DRI's EPS to increase 6% year-over-year to $11.28.

Of the 28 analysts covering the stock, 16 maintain a "Strong Buy" rating, one suggests a "Moderate Buy," and 11 recommend a "Hold." The consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy." This sentiment has become more bearish than a month ago, with 17 analysts now recommending a "Strong Buy" rating. J.P. Morgan's John Ivankoe maintained a "Buy" rating on Darden Restaurants and raised his price target to $225 from $220.

The mean price target of $230 represents a 2.1% premium to the stock's current level, while a Street-high target of $276 implies a potential upside of 22.5%. As of the publication date, Kritika Sarmah had no positions in any of the mentioned securities.