Darden Restaurants (DRI) President Wilkerson Buys 2,325 Shares

Insider Buying and Selling at Darden Restaurants, Inc.

John Wilkerson, president of Olive Garden, bought 2,325 shares of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI) on June 23, 2026. This purchase is valued at about $489,067, based on the stock's price of $211.10 at the time of the trade. This move shows Wilkerson's confidence in the company as it continues to perform well in the competitive restaurant industry.

Multiple Executives Buy on the Same Day

On the same day, several other executives at Darden also made significant purchases. Douglas Milanes, Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, bought 2,171 shares, while Sarah King, Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer, acquired 3,100 shares. Todd Burrowes, Group President of Chuy's, purchased 4,650 shares, and Lindsay Koren, Senior Vice President General Counsel, added 465 shares. John Madonna, Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller, bought 1,394 shares, and Martin Melvin John, Group President, acquired 4,650 shares. This collective buying activity suggests strong internal confidence in the company's future prospects.

Stock Performance Near Highs

Darden Restaurants' stock is currently trading around $211.10, close to its 52-week high of $229.76. The stock has shown resilience, trading above its 50-day moving average of $210.75. This performance indicates investor confidence in Darden's ongoing growth and stability in the restaurant sector, particularly as it operates well-known brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts remain optimistic about Darden's performance. On September 25, 2026, Citigroup maintained a 'Buy' rating with a target price of $247.00, while Guggenheim reiterated a 'Buy' rating with a target of $235.00. Mizuho also maintained an 'Outperform' rating with a target of $245.00. The consensus among 26 analysts is a 'Buy' recommendation, with an average target price of approximately $232.96, reflecting confidence in Darden's growth potential.

What Darden Restaurants, Inc. Does

Darden Restaurants, Inc., based in Orlando, Florida, operates a range of full-service restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, including popular chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The company's diverse portfolio and strong market presence contribute to its robust financial performance.

What’s Next for Darden?

Investors will be looking ahead to Darden's next earnings announcement scheduled for September 24, 2026. The recent insider buying activity and favorable analyst ratings could provide further insights into the company’s financial health and growth prospects. It's important to note that the reported insider transactions reflect positions as of June 23, 2026, and may not represent current holdings.