...U.S. Sales Trends Diverge, Pockets of Weakness Internationally Fitch Ratings expects consolidated same-store sales growth to average 2%¡3% for U.S. restaurants in 2014, despite severe U.S. winter weather, weakness in parts of Europe and China food-quality issues. Domestic sales trends are diverging with traffic declining in casual dining, share shifts in quick service and fast casual benefiting as consumers dine out less and demand higher-quality food and better value. Fitch expects chains with broad appeal, high-quality differentiated menu items, good service, and effective promotions such as Starbucks Corp. (A¡/Stable), Brinker Int'l Inc. (BBB¡/Stable), and Bloomin' Brands, Inc. (Private Rating) to outperform. McDonald's Corp. (A/Stable), YUM! Brands, Inc. (Not Rated) and Darden Restaurants, Inc. (BBB¡/Stable) remain vulnerable to improving competitors, China challenges and activist investors. Shareholder Activism ¡ A Catalyst for Change Fitch views strategic changes at Darden and Bob...
