U.S. restaurant operator Darden Restaurants Inc. has announced plans to separate its seafood restaurant operating brand Red Lobster from the rest of the group. The ratings on Darden, including the 'BBB-' corporate credit rating, remain on CreditWatch with developing implications, where we placed them on Dec. 19, 2013. We expect to resolve the CreditWatch placement after evaluating the business and financial impact of the potential Red Lobster separation transaction, including operating initiatives, financing details, and management's financial policies and capital structure. On March 17, 2014, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said its ratings on Darden Restaurant Inc., including the 'BBB-' corporate credit rating, remain on CreditWatch with developing implications, where we placed them on Dec. 19, 2013. We placed ratings
