In the hamburgers and french fries-dominated world of fast foods, Taco Bell has proven financially that change really is good. Now one of the world's largest restaurant companies is set to introduce another variation on an American tradition: Asian fast food.

Yum! Brands, Inc., formerly known as Tricon Global Restaurants, has announced a joint venture agreement with Hong Kong-based Favorite Restaurants Group to test Asian food in a fast food format. The restaurants will be called Yan Can after TV celebrity chef Martin Yan, who will consult on restaurant design and menu development.

"America loves Asian food. We're excited to test this new restaurant concept with Martin Yan, who is to Asian food what Colonel Sanders is to Kentucky Fried Chicken," said David Novak, chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands.

Yan is best known to television viewers worldwide as the spirited host of the "Yan Can Cook" show. Seen in more than 70 countries, including nearly 250 markets across the United States, Yan Can Cook has been one of the world's most watched cooking shows since 1984.

The first Yan Can Restaurant is expected to open in San Francisco this month, and will include casual dine-in and take-out menus developed by Yan. The average meal price will be $6.50 - $7.50, and will feature Yan's signature sauces, such as Kung Pao, Black Bean and Sweet and Sour, on chicken, beef, shrimp and vegetable wok favorites. Plans are underway to open up to five restaurants by year's end; future expansion plans will be determined at year's end.

Favorite Restaurants has an exclusive license agreement with Martin Yan for the development and operation of restaurant concepts. Arthur Ho, CEO of Favorite Restaurants Group, will serve as CEO of the Yan Can joint venture. Ho's company is the franchise owner and operator of 46 KFC restaurants in Hong Kong, and 69 Pizza Huts in Indonesia.

Yum! Brands, Inc, based in Louisville, Kentucky, is the world's largest restaurant company in terms of system units with over 32,500 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Long John Silver's are just four of the company's brands.