Restaurant Jobs Dwindle, Yum Forecasts China Growth, Campbell's Flat Forecast, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Restaurant Industry Loses Jobs -- The business has been a net job loser for five straight months. Poor sales and high costs are to blame. [Source: Wall Street Journal]

Yum Brands CFO: We're Big in China -- The parent of KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut says it will easily glide to profit growth of 15 to 20 percent in China in 2009. The company opened 550 stores in China this year and will open 500 more in 2009. [Source: Reuters]

Campbell: Earnings Will be Flat in First Half -- The soup company says currency differentials and high costs are still hitting the top and bottom lines, and will for at least six more months. Unit sales are still rising as more people increasingly turn to soup. [Source: AP]

Kroger: More Shoppers Opting for Store Brands -- The giant discount grocery chain says there is "strong growth" in its private-label items. Like other chains, Kroger began introducing more such products before the current downturn. [Source: Dow Jones]