Darden Restaurants Heading Into 2026 With 'Lack Of Incremental Sales Drivers'

benzinga_article
2026.01.09 15:54
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Darden Restaurants Inc (NYSE: DRI) is facing challenges heading into 2026, with analysts noting a lack of incremental sales drivers and limited margin upside. Analyst Jake Bartlett downgraded the rating from Buy to Hold and reduced the price target from $240 to $207. Despite Olive Garden's historical outperformance, its sales growth was subdued in 2025. Darden's shares fell 1.01% to $200.45, reflecting investor concerns amid rising commodity costs and labor productivity issues, although the company maintains a strong market cap of $23.32 billion.