Yum Brands Inc.'s China same-store sales rose an estimated 2%
during December, increasing for a second straight month, but
declined an estimated 4% for its fourth quarter.
The restaurant company has been trying to recover from
food-safety concerns related to KFC chicken suppliers more than a
year ago. Yum in November began an advertising and social-media
campaign to assure people that its food is safe.
The company, which also operates Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, late
last year promised major new initiatives to improve its KFC brand
in China during 2014.
The company on Monday reported that same-store sales rose 5% at
its KFC China operations in December, but decreased 3% at Pizza
Hut, according to its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission.
For the fourth-quarter, the same-store sales decline included a
decrease of 4% at KFC and growth of 5% for Pizza Hut. The fourth
quarter for the China Division includes September, October,
November and December.
The company plans to release it fourth-quarter and full year
financial results Feb. 3.
Shares fell 3.3% to $71.01 in recent after-hours trading.
Through Monday's close, the stock has fallen 2.9% this year.
Write to Tess Stynes at tess.stynes@wsj.com
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