Yum to invest $185M in KFC

Yum! Brands Inc. will invest $185 million in KFC in the U.S. in a deal with franchisees that will give the Louisville, Ky.-based franchisor control over domestic marketing, the company said Wednesday.

The deal comes as KFC in the U.S. continues its comeback from years-long sales weakness. The quick-service chain’s domestic same-store sales rose 7 percent in the first quarter ended March 21.

Yum CEO Greg Creed attributed much of the sales performance to KFC’s $5 Fill-Up