Taco Bell sales rebound as customers return after lettuce recall

Taco Bell said Thursday that patronage is beginning to recover after the fast-food chain swiftly removed iceberg lettuce tied to a nationwide cyclospora outbreak. Federal health officials have linked 1,947 cases in nine states to lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms, which the Food and Drug Administration says may have been contaminated at its Mexican facilities. The chain was the first to publicize the issue and temporarily halted use of the lettuce, replacing it with a new supplier. Yum Brands, Taco Bell's parent company, reported that sales, which fell sharply when the recall was announced, have now steadied and are down about 2 percent overall. > "Customers are starting to return to our restaurants," a Yum Brands executive said, noting the improvement in sales trends.