Darden's CEO Sold Shares as LongHorn Jumped 9.5% and Olive Garden Lagged

Darden Restaurants CEO Ricardo Cardenas exercised and sold 39,134 stock options on July 28, 2026, realizing an $8.2 million gain from options struck at $124.24 against a sale price of $209.06. While the transaction represents a routine vested compensation exercise, it comes as the company shows mixed performance: LongHorn Steakhouse posted strong 9.5% same-restaurant sales growth, but flagship Olive Garden lagged with only 2.4% growth. Management guided fiscal 2027 to slower blended growth of 2.5% to 3.5%, signaling potential headwinds ahead.