Taco Bell Q1 Same-Store Sales Up 8%

Taco Bell parent company Yum Brands Inc. reported 2026 first-quarter results on Wednesday, with the Irvine-based chain driving same-store sales growth.

“Taco Bell delivered an outstanding 8% same-store sales growth, meaningfully ahead of the QSR industry, building off a very strong Q1 same-store sales growth rate in 2025,” Yum Chief Executive Chris Turner said in a statement.  

Sister brand KFC reported a 2% increase in same-store sales, and Pizza Hut was flat, which led to a 3% rise worldwide for Yum Brands. Shares of the Louisville-based operator were up 3% to $161.14 apiece with a $44 billion market cap during midday trading (NYSE: YUM).  

Taco Bell grew U.S. system sales by 10% to $4.4 billion for the period ended March 31. The company counted 9,021 restaurants in the first quarter.  

“We talked about R.I.N.G-ing The Bell louder in 2026… and we walked that talk in Q1,” Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant posted on LinkedIn following results.  

Yum Brands’ Habit Burger & Grill, also headquartered in Irvine, reported Q1 system sales grew 7% with same-store sales up 5%.  

Updated May 5