The ratings on Darden Restaurants Inc. reflect the company's relatively good position in the casual-dining industry, geographic and concept diversity, and the good cash flow and profitability of its restaurants. The company's participation in the intensely competitive casual-dining sector of the restaurant industry partially offset these strengths. Darden is the largest full-service casual-dining restaurant company in the U.S., operating more than 1,700 units. Standard&Poor's Ratings Services believes the October 2007 acquisition of RARE Hospitality International Inc. could have some strategic value to Darden's long-term growth as it attempts to accelerate expansion in the casual-dining segment. We expect minimal integration risk because of Darden's past success with Olive Garden and Red Lobster, the company's history of modest unit growth,
