NEW YORK (
) --
Yum! Brands'
(YUM) - Get Report
will offer free Wi-Fi at all of its U.S. restaurants by 2015 in a move that echoes that of restaurant giants
McDonald's
(MCD) - Get Report
and
Starbucks
(SBUX) - Get Report
.
Taco Bell said this week that all of its 5,600 U.S.-based locations will be equipped with free Wi-Fi service by 2015; just 40 of its restaurants offer the complimentary service now.
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The fast-food chain will also outfit its stores with TV screens airing programs from Restaurant Entertainment Network, a content providing service already employed by
Denny's
(DENN) - Get Report
, Arby's,
(WEN) - Get Report
, Carl's Jr and Hardee's, according to a report in
The Independent
. Programs will feature content on music, lifestyle, entertainment and sports.
Taco Bell's announcements come as the Mexican-style restaurant operator looks to attract more customers and boost diners' in-store experiences.
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McDonald's already offers free Wi-Fi to its customers in the U.S. Last year Starbucks began offering unlimited free Wi-Fi to its customers after previously requiring people to sign in with an account and password, and limiting free internet service to two hours per day.
said last year it would begin offering some of its European customers free Wi-Fi; the announcement pertained to 2,200 restaurants in 12 countries including Germany, the U.K., Ireland and the Netherlands.
>> Consumer Products You Pay More For
Other restaurant operators to offer on-screen entertainment to diners include
DineEquity's
(DIN) - Get Report
Applebee's,
Brinker International's
(EAT) - Get Report
Chili's and
Chanticleer Holdings'
(CCLR)
.
Yum shares were 0.5% lower at $56.34 Wednesday morning.
-- Written by Miriam Marcus Reimer in New York.
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