'Brilliant with the basics'

Wall Street analysts credit a sales resurgence at the Olive Garden — a new breadstick recipe helped — with being at the forefront of the so-far successful corporate turnaround at Darden Restaurants.

But Darden executives say the recent success also requires behind-the-scenes leaders such as Ray Atwood, general manager of the Bahama Breeze in Tampa. Atwood has been GM of the Tampa location for 18 years — three lifetimes in the high turnover industry. Atwood was recently awarded Darden Diamond Club status, an annual top-performer honor based on sales and other metrics, for the sixth time since 1998. Orlando-based Darden's brands include Seasons 52, The Capital Grill and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Atwood is one 86 general managers and managing partners to notch Diamond Club status out of the more than 1,500 Darden has companywide spread out across North America. He's also one of three of 35 Bahama Breeze GMs to make the top performers club, according to statement.