Darden's September Sales Up but Down from 2000

ORLANDO-The 1,168-unit, locally based Darden Restaurants Inc., which bills itself as the largest seafood restaurant chain in North America, may be starting to feel the effects of a customer slowdown possibly generated by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the anthrax scare and the economy, according to September sales figures the company reported.

Although the chain’s two top divisions, Red Lobster and Olive Garden, posted monthly gains in sales, guest counts and pricing, the percentages are lower than last year at this time. September is the first month of Darden’s fiscal 2002 second quarter.

The 660-unit Red Lobster division posted same-restaurant sales gains of 4% to 5%; a guest count increase of 2% to 3%; and a 2% increase in pricing.