December 13/Los Angeles/Los Angeles Times From Times Wire Services -- After a year of disappointing results in its U.S. division, Yum Brands Inc. is planning to copy one of its biggest rivals in the fast-food industry.

At a meeting with investors and analysts, Yum chief executive David Novak said the chain would introduce new products, including beverages and breakfast meals, expand its value menus and offer healthier options at its main U.S. chains, KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.

Novak said the U.S. division's transformation was being modeled after moves made in the last few years at McDonald's Inc., which led to far higher sales and profit in the last year.

From the December 17, 2007, Prepared Foods e-Flash