OTHER NEWS - Feb. 7, 1992

Taco Bell Profit Rises: Taco Bell’s fourth-quarter operating profit increased 5% to $57 million, up from $54.2 million for the year-earlier period, the Pepsico Inc. unit reported. Boosted by the opening of new restaurants, sales for the three months ended Dec. 28 were $655.1 million, from $557.9 million in the 1990 quarter. The Irvine-based company said that its gains were offset by lower pricing, higher advertising costs and strategic spending for hiring and training managers. For the fiscal year, Taco Bell posted operating profits of $180.6 million, a gain over $149.6 million in 1990. Sales rose 17% to $2 billion from $1.7 billion.