$DRI

Darden Restaurants will close all nine remaining Bahama Breeze locations by 2027, as they are no longer a strategic priority. The sites will be converted into other Darden brands, such as Olive Garden and Yard House. The company aims to relocate affected employees.

Darden Restaurants (DRI) is closing or converting the remaining 28 Bahama Breeze locations by 2027. 14 locations closed in April 2026, and the rest will be converted into other Darden brands. Florida is most affected, with 10 locations transitioning. The move reflects broader challenges in the casual dining sector.

Darden Restaurants (DRI) will report Q1 FY2027 results on Sept. 24, 2026, with an earnings call at 8:30 a.m. ET. KeyBanc maintained an Overweight rating and raised its price target to $237.00 from $228.00.

Darden Restaurants is closing its last Georgia Bahama Breeze location in Kennesaw to convert it into a Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. The closure follows Darden's strategic shift away from the Bahama Breeze brand, with 14 locations set for closure and 14 for conversion. The company expects the process to take 12-18 months without material financial impact.

Baird downgraded Chipotle (CMG) to Neutral, cutting its price target to $40, citing slower growth and higher reinvestment needs. Domino's (DPZ) and Black Rock Coffee Bar (BRCB) were also downgraded. Darden (DRI) was upgraded to Outperform with a $250 target. Baird favors Cava (CAVA), Starbucks (SBUX), and others with strong unit economics and growth potential.

Analysts made several ratings changes: UBS upgraded Celestica to Buy with a $430 target, citing AI-driven demand. Citi initiated Reformation as Buy with a $20 target. Morgan Stanley initiated Jersey Mike's and ArcelorMittal as Overweight. Baird upgraded Darden to Outperform and downgraded Chipotle to Neutral. Other notable moves include upgrades for Suzano, Ionic Digital, and Fortune Brands, while Canada Goose was downgraded.

Analysts upgraded four companies: Baird raised Darden (DRI) to Outperform with a $250 target, Wolfe upgraded Janux (JANX) to Outperform with a $23 target, UBS upgraded Celestica (CLS) to Buy with a $430 target, and Wolfe upgraded PulteGroup (PHM) to Outperform with a $129 target. All companies closed at or near their respective targets on Friday.

Wall Street analysts updated price targets and ratings for several companies. Baird cut Chipotle's (CMG) target to $40 and downgraded it to Neutral. HC Wainwright raised LB Pharmaceuticals' (LBRX) target to $60. BTIG increased AtriCure's (ATRC) target to $55. Baird also raised Analog Devices' (ADI) target to $675 and upgraded Darden Restaurants' (DRI) target to $250. Other notable changes include updates for Black Rock Coffee Bar (BRCB), Marti Technologies (MRT), Alkami Technology (ALKT), Chenie

Baird downgraded Chipotle (CMG), Domino's (DPZ), and Black Rock Coffee Bar (BRCB) to Neutral, citing slower growth and competitive pressures. It upgraded Darden (DRI) to Outperform, praising its strong fundamentals. Price targets were adjusted for each. Baird also initiated coverage of Brinker (EAT) and Jersey Mike's with Outperform ratings, and named Cava (CAVA), Brinker, Starbucks (SBUX), and Dutch Bros (BROS) as top picks.

Darden Restaurants (DRI) reached a 52-week high in 2026, with fiscal sales surpassing $13 billion. Key brands like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse drove growth, with Q4 revenue up 13.7% YoY. Darden's stock rose 18% this year, supported by strong earnings and a new $1.5 billion share repurchase plan. The company provided optimistic 2027 guidance, including sales between $13.6B and $13.75B. Competitors like Domino's (DPZ) and Chipotle (CMG) faced weaker sales and stock declines.