The spike in gas prices might affect Olive Garden sales, but not in the way you’d expect

Site SearchClearSEARCHAdvanced Search ➔Search ResultsSymbolsNo results foundAll NewsArticlesVideoPodcasts0 ResultsNo Results FoundAuthorsNo results foundSectionsNo results foundColumnsNo results found Retail StocksThe spike in gas prices might affect Olive Garden sales, but not in the way you’d expectOlive Garden parent Darden Restaurants reports earnings this week amid concerns over rising oil prices and a strike at a large U.S. meatpacking plantLast Updated: March 17, 2026 at 7:20 p.m. ETFirst Published: March 17, 2026 at 3:54 p.m. ETShareResizeListen(4 min)Darden Restaurants reports quarterly results on Thursday. Photo: Getty ImagesWith Olive Garden parent Darden Restaurants and several retailers set to report earnings this week, Wall Street will be focused on the effects of rising oil and gas prices on consumers’ wallets amid the intensifying conflict in Iran. But one analyst says the impact, at least for restaurants, might not be what you think.BTIG’s Peter Saleh said that after looking at years of data on gas prices, same-store sales and foot traffic, he found little evidence that higher gas prices kept people from going to restaurants. About the Author Bill PetersBill Peters is a Los Angeles-based MarketWatch reporter who covers earnings.Show Conversation (0)Back To TopA Dow Jones CompanyCopyright © 2026 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of UsePrivacy NoticeCookie NoticeArchive MarketwatchCustomer CenterContact UsNewslettersNewsroom RosterVirtual Stock ExchangeMarketWatch GuidesCopyright PolicyManage NotificationsCancel My SubscriptionCompanyDow JonesCode of ConductCorrectionsReprints & LicensingDigital Self ServiceYour Ad ChoicesCorporate SubscriptionsAccessibilityDow Jones NetworkThe Wall Street JournalBarron'sInvestor's Business DailyFinancial News Londonrealtor.comMansion GlobalDow Jones Smart MoneyIntraday Data provided by FACTSET and subject to terms of use. Historical and current end-of-day data provided by FACTSET. All quotes are in local exchange time. Real-time last sale data for U.S. stock quotes reflect trades reported through Nasdaq only. Intraday data delayed at least 15 minutes or per exchange requirements.