darden restaurants

McDonald's and other fast-food establishments recently garnered praise from First Lady Michelle Obama for making great strides toward "making America healthier." But how admirable have their efforts really been? Here's a closer look at the likely effects of changes to the happy meal -- and a different business's better efforts.

If you're finding it a bit easier to snag a table at your favorite restaurant lately, don't go crediting your debonair charm or your glowing Yelp review. Eateries really are less crowded these days.

Next week's biggest news is all but certain to be Apple's introduction of the iPhone 5, led by new CEO Tim Cook. Beyond that, there will be quarterly reports from Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster), Monsanto, and Costco, as well as a big-screen offering from IMAX.

As the economy improves, Americans have begun splurging again. But they're limiting their indulgences to haircuts, casual dining and coffee, while continuing to forego many bigger expenditures, like vacations and dining at expensive restaurants.

Spending for the lovers' holiday this year is expected to climb 5.8% over 2009, and that spells opportunity for investors. Here are some greeting card, candy, jewelry, flower and restaurant stocks that could get a lift from sweethearts looking for that special something.

Late-season earnings could help ring in some early holiday cheer for investors this week. Analysts expect strong results from Nike, Bed Bath & Beyond, Darden Restaurants -- which operates Olive Garden and Red Lobster -- and electronics company Jabil Circuit.

Darden Restaurants (DRI), owner of brands including Olive Garden and Red Lobster, reported quarterly net earnings from continuing operations of 80 cents per share, up from 67 cents per share a year earlier. Sales from continuing operations were $1.81 billion in the quarter ended Aug. 29, up 4.2%...

With its supplier, AmeriPure, shutting down operations, the popular seafood chain has no choice but to pull the shellfish. Now AmeriPure's future is on the rocks.

Restaurant traffic is down in 2009, with industry experts partly blaming cutbacks in expense-account dining. That's also a problem for dealmaking because a third of CFOs say their most successful business meetings get conducted over a meal.

Not even a Playboy centerfold can boost Olive Garden's profits in this economy, so the restaurant is taking matters into its own hands and raising its menu prices to offset skyrocketing costs. Parent company Darden Restaurants will be raising menu prices at its Olive Garden and Red Lobster...