By ignoring calls from several activist investors to take a more holistic approach to the problems plaguing it, Darden Restaurants (DRI 0.53%) decided to go it alone and sell off only its Red Lobster seafood chain, meaning it's placing a big bet on the turnaround of its Italian eatery, Olive Garden.

Yet there are a lot of risks with that route. The slide show below clues you in on whether Darden can pull up a seat at the table or will be left outside looking in.