Yum sees China KFC sales recovering by fourth quarter

(Reuters) – KFC parent Yum Brands Inc expects sales at its KFC restaurants in China to recover by the end of the year and fears surrounding a bird flu outbreak to be short-lived, company executives told analysts during a conference call. Based on prior health crises, including a bird flu outbreak in 2005, the company expects sales to improve over six to nine months, and has instituted “Operation Thunder” to restore buyer confidence in its KFC brand, said Chief Executive David Novak. …