Every Thanksgiving, I sit down to a nice meal of Kentucky Fried Chicken. I buy it the night before and then reheat it the next day to celebrate the holiday. This might sound odd to some, but I've just never been a turkey guy. Besides, who can resist those delicious biscuits? Enjoying the Colonel's secret recipe always provides a wonderful excuse to eat those golden chunks of fattening bread.
I'm not so sure I will be savoring the Colonel's cooking this year, though. And I really don't have to tell you why, do I? Well, I guess I'll spell it out anyway -- bird flu. Yes, I'm one of those people who is afraid of catching influenza from an avian species.
According to TheWall Street Journal, Yum! Brands
This is smart policy on the part of Yum! Brands. Competitors like McDonald's
The stock took a slight hit Wednesday, closing down 2.5%. It could go down further as talk about the avian flu increases. But will you sell? Think long-term. That's the only way to deal with something like this. Short-term, the company will lose sales. In the long run, the brand power will remain. And besides, the company is diversified with its two other major brands, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. The Colonel might have to rough it for a while, but he'll eventually win out.
For related articles, see:
- Pilgrim's Pride Investors Turn Chicken on Outlook
- Chiron's Bird Flu Contract
- Chasing Down Bird Flu
- Discuss the bird flu and other issues at the Yum! Brands discussion board.
Fool contributor Steven Mallas owns none of the companies mentioned. The Fool has a disclosure policy.