Olive Garden parent CEO says fast food inflation driving customers to sit-down franchises

Sit-down restaurant prices at fast food chains are pushing some customers to skip the drive-thru in favor of the genuine casual-dining experience, according to Darden Restaurants CEO Rick Cardenas.

Cardenas said Darden, which owns popular franchises including Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse, has not yet benefited from the trend, but noted competitors like Brinker International, which owns Chili's, and Applebee's parent Dine Brands have begun to market towards fast food customers with cheap deals.