NEW YORK -- Yum Brands Inc. reported better-than-expected third-quarter results Thursday as a key sales figure rose at KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.

Sales rose 4 per cent at KFC's existing locations, rose 3 per cent at Taco Bell and rose 1 per cent at Pizza Hut.

The Louisville, Kentucky-based company reported adjusted earnings of 68 cents per share in the three months ending Sept. 30. That's a penny above what Wall Street analysts expected, according to FactSet.

Revenue fell 5 per cent to $1.44 billion in the period, but beat the $1.39 billion analysts expected.