a charge of between $7 million and $10 million for the spinoff of its restaurant business into a separate company.

The charge, which will be one-time costs, was disclosed in a quarterly filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Bethesda, Maryland-based company said in August it would divest its restaurant business, which operates franchised fast-food stores, such as Sbarro Inc. and Dunkin Donuts, at 70 airports, 95 highway plazas and in more than 35 sports arenas and tourist attractions.

Under the spinoff, shareholders will receive one share of the concessions business, to be known as Host Marriott Services Corp., for every five Host Marriott shares they own. The spinoff, designed to separate the restaurant operations from the company's real estate unit, is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The real estate group owns 86 hotel properties, primarily operating under the Marriott name.

"We believe the spinoff transaction will provide a unique opportunity for our shareholders to recognise the growth potential inherent in both of our businesses,'' said Terence Golden, the company's president, when third-quarter earnings were released this week.

The restaurant group said its third-quarter loss from continuing operations widened to $4 million, or 2 cents a share, from $3 million, or two cents, a year ago. Revenue for the period increased 33 percent to $110 million.