Darden Restaurants: Reiterate Buy Rating As Demand Outlook Remains Solid

Darden Restaurants (DRI) maintains a buy rating as demand remains resilient and management accelerates new store openings. Q3 saw 6% y/y sales growth, with adjusted same-restaurant sales potentially near 5% absent weather and promotion headwinds. Management raised FY2026 new restaurant guidance and expects further acceleration in FY2027, signaling strong confidence in demand trends.