Darden Restaurants, one of Central Florida’s largest companies and the region’s biggest restaurant group, continues to report strong sales even as it moves to phase out its Bahama Breeze brand.
The Orlando-based company operates more than 2,100 restaurants nationwide, including 56 in Metro Orlando. Darden is also Central Florida’s second-largest publicly traded company, according to Orlando Business Journal research.
The company’s three largest brands — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and Yard House — each posted positive same-restaurant sales for the fifth consecutive year, according to Darden’s latest filing.
Darden’s portfolio also includes Ruth’s Chris Steak House, The Capital Grille, Chuy’s, Eddie V’s and Seasons 52.
The company previously reported stronger profit margins and sales near the end of its fourth fiscal quarter, even as executives projected slower growth ahead.
Darden employs roughly 207,000 people. The company’s latest filing also showed CEO Rick Cardenas received total compensation of $34.8 million during fiscal year 2026.
In a letter to shareholders, Darden said it remains focused on growing its brands, investing in employees, improving guest experiences and strengthening operations in the communities it serves.
Kevin Murphy, a professor at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the Darden Endowed Chair in Restaurant Management, told the Orlando Business Journal that the company’s record sales are particularly significant given the challenges facing the restaurant industry.
Consumers remain focused on value, while restaurant operators continue to deal with higher labor, food, occupancy and supply-chain costs, Murphy said.
Darden’s strong performance comes as the company moves ahead with plans announced in February to close all Bahama Breeze locations.
The company said some Bahama Breeze restaurants will be converted into other Darden concepts as part of a broader shift in its portfolio.
Darden previously said the conversion process is expected to take 12 to 18 months. Affected restaurants will continue operating as Bahama Breeze locations until they temporarily close for renovations and conversion.
Approximately 1,000 employees are expected to be affected by the changes, a Darden spokesperson previously told the Orlando Business Journal.
The company has said it is working to transfer impacted workers to other restaurants within the Darden organization when possible.
Darden had already closed 15 Bahama Breeze locations in 2025 before announcing it was considering “strategic alternatives” for the brand.
Murphy said the decision to wind down Bahama Breeze should not necessarily be viewed as a sign of weakness.
Instead, he described it as an example of strategic portfolio management, allowing Darden to redirect real estate, capital, employees and management resources toward restaurant concepts with stronger growth potential.
The move shows that even as Darden produces record sales, the company is willing to move away from brands that executives believe no longer warrant continued investment.
