KFC 3Q same-store sales surge despite summer slumpKFC 3Q same-store sales surge despite summer slump

KFC’s Extra Crispy Chicken promotion helped drive the chain’s U.S. same-store sales 6 percent higher in the third quarter, despite a summer slump in the quick-service segment, parent company Yum! Brands Inc. said Thursday.

The performance was KFC’s ninth consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth, continuing the brand’s comeback from years of weakness that resulted in losing its position as the country’s biggest chicken chain to Chick-fil-A.

Additionally, KFC same-store sales appear to be improving over time: Same-store sales rose 8 percent on a two-year basis in the third quarter ended Sept. 3. In this case, the company credited an ad campaign for its Extra Crispy Chicken starring the actor George Hamilton as Colonel Sanders.

“It defin...