Still, Mr. Boulud's operation offers great rewards to those who meet the challenge, he said.

The nation's second-largest long-distance carrier has spent $1 billion to build switches and other operations to offer local service in 18 cities.

This 56-year-old operation offers a series of five-day trips for children to resort hotels where they can take part in summer sports.

Suncor's operations offer a glimpse of how great an undertaking it is to produce oil here.

So many operations, from gas stations to fast-food franchises, now offer 24-hour sustenance that emphasizing it has little impact.

Though many call the house's vision dull, its week-by-week operation offers plenty to chew on.

Those operations, because they have higher cost structures, offer less-favorable odds than are available between individuals gambling against each other over the Internet.

The operation could offer new hope to parents of premature babies and children with severe lung disease.

Small operations can then offer specialized goods and services that are attractive to a specific group of prospective buyers.

These no- and low-frills operations offer rooms that are increasingly attractive to business travelers whose employers are looking to cut costs.