ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Friday, September 20, 1996             TAG: 9609200049
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: A-7  EDITION: METRO 


REPORTED EARNINGS

Darden Restaurants

1st qtr. ended 8-25 1996 1995

Revenues $805.6 million $836.0 million

Net Income $20.5 million ($12.1 million)

Share earnings 13 cents (8 cents)

Orlando, Fla.-based Darden operates Red Lobster and Olive Garden restaurants in Western Virginia. Approximately half the sales decline related to the discontinued China Coast stores, which were closed last August. In last year's first quarter, the company recorded a $75 million pre-tax restructuring charge to discontinue China Coast.

Food Lion Inc.

3rd qtr. ended 9-7 1996 1995

Revenues $2.12 billion $1.91 billion

Net Income $50.0 million $41.0 million

Share earnings 11 cents 9 cents

9 mos. ended 9-7

Revenues $6.23 billion $5.68 billion

Net Income $139.5 million $117.4 million

Share earnings 30 cents 24 cents

Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion operates grocery stores in Western Virginia.


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