The Detroit News reports a government website, safecar.gov, will launch on 8/20 over the objections of automakers, and will allow vehicle owners to submit VIN numbers to find out if there have been recalls issued on that vehicle. The paper notes some vehicles have had multiple recalls, and owners may not be sure if all defects have been fixed……Good results for Denny’s in the second quarter; same-store sales were up 3.7% at company-owned units and up 1.7% at franchisees. The majority of the chain (1533 of 1693 total units) is franchised……Good numbers also at DineEquity, where comps were up 3.2% at IHOP and up 0.6% at Applebee’s. DineEquity has sold off most company-owned stores to franchisees; The Wall Street Journal says that insulates it from the volatility of commodity costs and consumer spending……Arby’s new branding effort focuses on the seven other meats it serves beyond the roast beef the chain is known for. The Smokehouse Brisket sandwich is now being called the most-successful new product launch in the chain’s history……With Red Lobster now officially spun off from Darden, the Associated Press says the chain will now try to act like a “fancier restaurant” by ending many of the promotional discounts used in the past and using some “plating” tactics used at fine dining establishments. “At the end of the day,” the new CEO said, “people are not going to go to a Chipotle for their anniversary or their birthday”……Local Ashley retailers will get a chance to compete with online sellers with Ashley Express, featuring about 2,000 furniture and accessories selections, most available with 2-day delivery……Bedding sales remain strong with Tempur Sealy sales up 8.2% in the second quarter. Sealy net sales were up 6.8% and Tempur-Pedic brand did even better with a 12.2% gain……Small craft breweries continue to gain share according to a first-half summary from the Brewers Association. The group says in the first six months craft brewers sold 10.6 million barrels, up from 9.0 million barrels in the first half last year. There were just over 3,000 breweries in the U.S. at the end of June, with almost 2,000 more “in planning”……Chain Store Age reports Meijer intends to focus on apparel, footwear, and accessories with plans that include redesigning stores, hiring outside consultants, and launching multimedia marketing to highlight apparel……Aetna quarterly profit rose to $548.8 million from $536 million last year, with 23.1 million total subscribers compared to 22.7 million in the first quarter and 22 million a year ago. But the “benefit ratio,” the amount of premiums that goes to pay patient medical costs, rose slightly from 82.5% last year to 83.1% this year.