Chicken & tacos boost Yum Brands profit

Customers returned to KFC and Taco Bell as more of them got vaccinated, driving parent Yum Brands’ quarterly comparable sales up 5%.

But the rising tide of re-openings didn't lift every fast-food franchise. Pizza Hut, another chain owned by Yum, saw a slowdown in delivery demand after last year's surge of ordering in.

Overall, the reopening of seating areas and price hikes have helped restaurants. Higher prices aren’t keeping customers away; instead, they’re fattening the top line. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says fast-food chains have raised menu prices nearly 7% over the last 12 months.