Reference no: EM132299406

Darden Restaurants is a leading player in the casual dining/full-service restaurant market. For the purpose of this activity, casual dining includes full-service restaurants such as Applebee’s, Cracker Barrel, Red Lobster, etc. Fast casual and fast food restaurants are excluded for this activity. There are many segments within this category, and it is not a monolithic group. For instance, while some restaurants utilize a “bar & grill” format, others may choose to have one main theme such as breakfast or seafood. Still others may utilize a buffet format. Moreover, this segment includes standalone or local/regional/national chain restaurants.

1. Based on industry & company research, identify the product life cycle stage for Darden Restaurants offering(s). Use data to explain/justify your answer. You must include specific details for each aspect of the marketing mix pertaining to that stage(s). For instance, if a company/product category is in growth stage, how is that affecting its distribution or pricing strategy, etc. The answer to this question requires more than just one, largely anecdotal, paragraph. Develop/insert any relevant charts and figures.

2. Develop a critical analysis of Darden’s business and/or marketing strategies, i.e., what are the strengths and what are the weaknesses.

3. If you were responsible for Darden’s marketing strategy, what would you do differently and why? Explain your answer.