More meat than McDonald's Double Cheseburger?

The message this week from fast-food giant, Yum Brands: expect more cheap eats and pasta meals from its top two performing chains in the U.S.

Yum released its earnings this week, and things are finally looking up for Irvine-based Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Both chains fared well thanks to better-than-expected results from new menu introductions.

At Taco Bell, Yum said customers are flocking to the chain’s revamped Why Pay More recession-busting value menu, where food items cost 79 cents, 89 cents, or 99 cents. Yum Chief executive David Novak said Taco Bell’s new Frutisa Freeze is also giving the chain a much-needed boost during the afternoon.

During a conference call, Novak took the time to take a pot shot at McDonald’s. He said Taco Bell’s 89-cent Cheesy Double Beef Burrito contains 30 percent more beef than McDonald’s 99-cent Double Cheeseburger. Love the beefy smack talk.

To keep the momentum, Taco Bell plans to develop more beverages and value menu meals, Novak said.

Pizza Hut's Tuscani Pastas

Over at Pizza Hut, customers will see more variety in the chain’s pasta options. The chain introduced the family-meal pastas in April for $11.99. The 3-pound pasta dishes, which have since increased in price by $1, were dubbed one of the most important product launches in the chain’s 50-year history.

“Our chefs are busy exploring new recipes for 2009,” Pizza Hut spokesman Chris Fuller said Thursday.

Note: This is not surprising. Domino’s is testing several pasta dishes in SoCal, so I would expect Pizza Hut to answer back with new options.

Want to get the latest updates on menu changes? Check out my New on the Menu section. Send menu tips to nluna@ocregister.com

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• Taco Bell in turnaround mode
• Domino’s testing pasta dishes in Orange County
• Togo’s offering $1.99 value sandwich
• Jack in the Box adds two new items to value menu
• El Pollo Loco debuts copycat of McDonald’s Snack Wrap
• Nancy Luna talks fast-food wars on CBS
• Taco Bell revamps value menu
• KFC joins cheap eats craze
• Pizza Hut chases Domino’s with $4 meal deal
• Domino’s delivers 444 pizza deal
• Early 2008, meal deals

Posted in: Burger Joints • Fast food news • Marketing Buzz • Mexican Food • Taco Bell |

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