Olive Garden's owner says lower-income customers are cutting back while richer diners are eating out more

• Darden says lower-income diners are cutting back on its brands while high earners are visiting more.
• Darden, which owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, said its customer base was reverting to its pre-pandemic makeup.
• Diners aged 65 and over are spending less on each visit, too.

Darden Restaurants says lower-income customers are visiting its brands less often.

The CEO of Darden, which owns a range of fast-casual and fine-dining chains including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and recently acquired Ruth's Chris Steak House, said that lower-income consumers "appear to be pulling back."