DF&R suffering no ill effects from Apple South stock slide. (DF and Restaurants Inc.; Apple South Inc.)

BEDFORD - When DF&R Restaurants Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary of Apple South Inc. little more than a year ago, it was supposed to be a match of two strong entities.

"It was a merger that was not done out of any weakness," said David Frazier, DF&R president and CEO. "It made sense to ally with someone that has that rapid growth and an aggressive operation.

"Nothing has changed at DF&R. We have maintained our independence from the very beginning of merger talks," Frazier added.

That independence may be a credit to the company, which owns the Harrigan's Grill and Don Pablo's chains.

Both are growing revenue and profit even as an Apple South …