Darden Restaurants' lobbying costs are a little less this year

Oct 26, 2009 (The Orlando Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- DRI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Health-care reform is among the big issues on which Orlando-based Darden Restaurants has lobbied Congress, according to federal reports filed earlier this month.

Darden says it's working to understand impacts of the different health-care bill versions on its business and to educate Congress about benefits it already offers, including access to insurance for all employees.

So far this year Darden's reported lobbying costs have reached about $875,000 -- less than the same time period in 2008, when they reached about

$1.1 million.

Darden has also weighed in on the "card check" legislation that would allow unions to organize without a secret ballot election. Like many other businesses, Darden -- the nation's 29th largest private employer -- does not like the proposal. The company said in a statement it does not consider the card check bill "an appropriate or balanced approach."

Records show Darden also weighed in on food-safety legislation and expansion of a charitable tax deduction for food donations.

Bobby Moore, whose upscale Beluga restaurant abruptly shut down in Winter Park earlier this year, plans to open Big Fin Seafood Kitchen in the Dr. Phillips area next month.

The restaurant is "nothing at all like Beluga," he said. For one thing, he said, prices will be in the lower- to mid-priced range.

Orange County officials still hope to collect almost $15,000 in delinquent tangible personal property taxes from the old Beluga restaurant in Winter Park Village.

When asked about the tax bill, Moore said a business partner, whom he would not identify, is responsible for that debt.

Chick-fil-A president in town

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy will speak at two Orlando churches this week.

He will speak Tuesday at Cavalry Assembly of God and on Thursday at First Baptist Church of Orlando. Both discussions start at 7 p.m., and Chick-fil-A dinners will serve free dinners from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

The events are free, but attendees must have tickets. They are available at local Chick-fil-As or at the Web site livelovelead.com.

Cathy is also speaking to several groups in Central Florida and is meeting with local Chick-fil-A operators.

New jobs

Former Ruth's Chris Steak House chief marketing officer Anthony M. "Tony" Lavely has a new job with Atlanta-based Church's Chicken.

Lavely now works as chief marketing officer for that chain as well. Lavely left Lake Mary-based Ruth's in 2007 "to pursue other business and personal interests," a Church's spokeswoman said.

Bryan Gaylor, a former director of financial asset management for Darden Restaurants, has joined Georgia-based ScotCro LLC as a senior vice president and senior member over financial and operations consulting practices.

Darden expands Capital Grille

Darden Restaurants will open its 42nd Capital Grille at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa, Calif. Darden also is building a Seasons 52 there.

Openings, closings, moves

-- Maitland-based Tijuana Flats plans to open a new location on Edgewater Drive in College Park early next year.

-- California-based Baja Fresh has opened its first Central Florida location, at 4498 Alafaya Trail near the University of Central Florida.

--Nelore Winter Park, a Brazilian restaurant, will open early next month at 115 E. Lyman Ave.

--Paris Bistro has moved from Aloma Avenue to Winter Park's Park Avenue.

--Kobe Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar opened earlier this month at its new location on 108 Markham Woods Road, just a block away from the old one at 1231 Douglas Ave. Kobe moved into the old Manny's Chop House from its old building to make way the widening of State Road's 434, which is underway now.

Sandra Pedicini can be reached at spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240.

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