Business Today

PUBLIX TO SELL IRRADIATED MEAT: Publix Super Markets Inc. will begin stocking irradiated beef patties and chicken breasts and tenders in frozen form early next year in all of its stores. The Lakeland chain also is considering carrying irradiated meats in fresh prepacked containers. Publix will carry the New Generation line packed by Colorado Boxed Beef, an Auburndale wholesaler, using the low-radiation system developed by Food Technology Service Inc. of Mulberry. The process is supposed to kill bacteria in meats and extend shelf life. Publix previously steered clear of irradiated meat products until public acceptance was more widespread. Until now, only some butcher shops and NASA's astronaut program were using Food Technology's irradiated foods in Florida.

CONVENTION CENTER CONCESSIONS: ARAMARK Corp. is spending $1-million upgrading concession facilities as part of its new five-year contract for the Tampa Convention Center. The deal includes the new 200-seat full-service Calypso restaurant, which opens in a few weeks. ARAMARK also is adding four food court-style cafes, a Cyber Cafe business services center and a 28-slip boat marina to serve passing boaters. While the new food outlets are to serve crowds drawn to events, ARAMARK also will test using them to meet neighborhood demand.

KMART ENDING NET SERVICE: Kmart Corp., the discounter operating under federal bankruptcy court protection, says it is exiting the Internet service provider business so it can concentrate on fixing its retail operations. The company's e-commerce division, BlueLight.com of San Francisco, said Tuesday that it has agreed to sell its ISP business to NetBrands Inc. unless there is a better offer. BlueLight.com said its 165,000 users should not see a disruption or have to change their e-mail addresses.

BROKERAGE FIRES EXECS: Two top Merrill Lynch & Co. executives have been fired for declining to testify in federal investigations into financial transactions the nation's largest brokerage conducted with Enron Corp. in 1999. Thomas W. Davis, Merrill Lynch's vice chairman, and Schuyler Tilney, an investment banking managing director who directly oversaw corporate finance matters related to Enron, both declined to testify for investigations being conducted by the Justice Department and the Securities and Exchange Commission, Merrill Lynch said in a statement Wednesday. Merrill Lynch said it uncovered no evidence of wrongdoing by Davis and Tilney but fired them in keeping with its policy "requiring employees to fully cooperate with regulatory and law enforcement investigations."

AMERICAN ADDS REGIONAL FLIGHTS: American Airlines plans to start regional jet service next week with 10 weekday round-trip flights between New York's LaGuardia Airport and Boston's Logan Airport. The regional jet service will be through American Eagle and will start Tuesday. On Oct. 1, another 10 round-trip flights will be offered weekdays between LaGuardia and Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.

HOME BUILDERS' INDEX UP: An index measuring U.S. home builder expectations rose this month to the highest level in almost two years, according to an industry report. The National Association of Home Builders' housing market index rose to 63, the highest since November 2000, from 55 in August. A reading greater than 50 shows that a majority of builders have a positive view of market conditions. The lowest mortgage rates in at least 30 years are keeping housing affordable even as home prices rise.

NEW CHIEF AT DR PEPPER: Dr Pepper/Seven Up Inc. of Plano, Texas, named a new president and chief operating officer on Tuesday. Effective Sept. 30, Mike McGrath will become the company's president and chief operating officer, a new position. He will take on the duties of Jack Kilduff, president and chief operating officer of Dr Pepper Co.

Earnings

Circuit City

The Richmond, Va., electronics retailer said strong sales of big screen televisions, especially digital TV sets, helped make this a strong quarter.

Lennar Corp.

The Miami company credited the strong home-building market for a jump in its profits.

General Mills

The Minneapolis company blamed its acquisition of Pillsbury as its earnings dropped 6 percent.

Darden Restaurants Inc.

The Orlando chain, which operates Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze and Smokey Bones BBQ Sports Bar, said earnings rose 18 percent for the quarter ended Aug. 25 due to increased customer traffic and lower costs for food and operations.

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