RESTAURANTS

McDonald’s to Test Home-Cooking Restaurants: The company said it will test a new type of restaurant that features home-style cooking rather than its traditional fast food in a setting that resembles a single-family home. The company, revealing the plans to reporters after its annual meeting, also announced a 2-for-1 common stock split and raised its quarterly dividend by 12%. McDonald’s Corp. has often tested new concepts, but the Hearth Cafe Express marks a significant departure for the company because the restaurant will feature home-style items such as chicken, ham, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy. The first Hearth Cafe Express will be in Darien, Ill., outside Chicago. Construction is to begin next week, said Edward Rensi, president and chief executive of McDonald’s U.S.A. The cafe will have takeout service, in-store dining and some catering, he said.