Barington also recommends that Darden explore creating a publicly traded real estate investment trust. Barington does not believe that the value of Darden's real estate assets, which includes 1,048 owned restaurants and the buildings on 802 ground lease sites, is adequately reflected in the company's stock price. Darden's earnings have suffered recently as U.S. consumers have cut spending and competition has increased from brands like Panera Bread Co and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. In the first quarter ended Aug. 25, net income fell 37 percent to $70.2 million, or 53 cents per share.