Yum Brands post mixed quarter, Taco Bell shines

Core Insights - Yum Brands reported mixed quarterly results for the period ended December 31, with a net income of $535 million, or $1.91 per share, an increase from $423 million, or $1.49 per share, a year earlier [1] - The company's net revenue rose by 6% to $2.51 billion, with global same-store sales increasing by 3% [2] Taco Bell Performance - Taco Bell's same-store sales surged by 7% in the quarter, exceeding Wall Street expectations of 5.6% growth, highlighting its strong demand and performance [2] - The chain is recognized as a key asset in Yum's portfolio, consistently outperforming the broader fast-food industry due to its value offerings and innovative menu items [3] KFC Performance - KFC's global same-store sales increased by 3%, with international locations showing the same growth, while U.S. locations reported a modest 1% increase [3] - Analysts had anticipated KFC to achieve a same-store sales growth of 2.1%, indicating a stronger performance than expected [4] Pizza Hut Challenges - Pizza Hut reported a decline in same-store sales of 1%, driven by a 3% drop in the U.S., slightly better than Wall Street's estimate of a 1.7% decline [4] - Yum Brands announced in November that it would explore strategic options for Pizza Hut, with a review process currently underway [5] Financial Metrics - Adjusted earnings per share were reported at $1.73, slightly below the expected $1.77, while revenue of $2.51 billion surpassed expectations of $2.45 billion [6]