Darden Restaurants (DRI) CEO Ricardo Cardenas Buys 23,249 Shares

Cardenas' Recent Purchase

On June 23, 2026, Ricardo Cardenas, the President and CEO of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), bought 23,249 shares of the company. The shares were purchased at a price of $211.1. This transaction highlights Cardenas' commitment to the company as it navigates the competitive restaurant industry.

Insider Buying and Selling at Darden Restaurants, Inc.

Several other insiders also made purchases on the same day. Douglas Milanes, the Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, bought 2,171 shares. Sarah King, SVP and Chief People Officer, acquired 3,100 shares, while Todd Burrowes, Group President of Chuy's, purchased 4,650 shares. Lindsay Koren, SVP General Counsel, bought 465 shares, and John Madonna, SVP and Corporate Controller, acquired 1,394 shares. This collective buying activity among insiders suggests a strong belief in Darden's future performance.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts remain optimistic about Darden Restaurants. On September 25, 2026, Citigroup maintained a buy rating with a target of $247, while Guggenheim reiterated its buy rating with a target of $235. Mizuho also maintained an outperform rating, raising its target to $245. Freedom Capital Markets kept its buy rating with a target of $260, and BMO Capital maintained a market perform rating with a target of $220. Overall, the consensus among 26 analysts suggests a buy rating for the stock, with a target mean price of $232.96.

Stock Performance Context

Currently, Darden Restaurants trades around $211.1, just below its 50-day moving average of $210.75. The stock has a 52-week range between $169.0 and $229.76, indicating it has experienced significant fluctuations. The recent insider purchases come as the company approaches its next earnings report on September 24, 2026.

What Darden Restaurants, Inc. Does

Darden Restaurants, based in Orlando, Florida, operates several well-known restaurant brands including Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The company has a strong presence in the full-service restaurant sector across the U.S. and Canada, making these insider purchases noteworthy as they reflect confidence in its ongoing strategy and performance.

What's Ahead for Darden Restaurants, Inc.

As Darden prepares for its earnings report on September 24, 2026, investors will be watching closely for updates on its financial health and growth strategies. The recent insider transactions reflect positions as of June 23, 2026, and may not represent current holdings. Analysts' continued positive outlook will also be a key factor in shaping market sentiment moving forward.