Falling food costs and a prolonged recession may tempt restaurant chains into a wave of discounts next year, leaving potential profits on the table.
With prices for many food items and fuel hitting record highs this summer, restaurants were forced to raise the prices of their dishes beyond historical norms, producing a bitter proposition for customers watching the values of their homes and investment portfolios shrink.
Now, with food inflation expected to ease next year and the price of oil already in freefall, analysts will be watching whether restaurants can hold onto …

I grew up in the Midwestern State of Indiana. My family, along with all our neighbors, always had big vegetable gardens. There was nothing better than going out to the garden, picking fresh vegetables and having them for dinner. In the winter, we still enjoyed the fruits of our labors as we enjoyed the vegetables we canned or froze during the summer. Maybe that is why I love vegetables and casseroles so much. If you are also one who enjoys vegetables and/or casseroles, here are …