Yum looks to repair image in China

Yum Brands (YUM.NYSE) is fighting to replace lost customers in China after a series of food safety scares damaged its brand and substantially reduced sales this year, Reuters reported. Same-store sales have been decimated this year, as the company deals with avian flu and fake meat scares. The company is said to be boosting its media presence and engaging Shanghai social media consultancy CIC to help repair its image in the country. In December, state broadcaster Xinhua declared the company to be “arrogant” – the same pejorative applied to Apple (APPL.NASDAQ) and Volkswagen (VOW.FRA, VOW.ETR) – due to its handling of accusations that chicken sold in its KFC restaurants was laced with chemicals.