Yum Tops Estimates as Taco Bell Offsets Tepid KFC, Pizza Hut

Yum! Brands Inc.’s sales beat expectations thanks to Taco Bell’s value meals and plethora of new menu items offsetting more tepid results from its other brands.

Same-store sales at Taco Bell rose 8%, the company said in a statement Wednesday, the fastest pace in a year and ahead of analysts’ expectations for 5%. Meanwhile, KFC grew 2% — slightly below the average estimate — while Pizza Hut was flat, highlighting those brands’ ongoing weakness.