Taco Bell Corp.

The nation’s largest Mexican fast-food chain said first-quarter sales rose 4% at stores open for more than a year. The Irvine-based company credits the boost to its new line of Gorditas, favorable price shifts and a Valentine’s Day promotion of a talking Chihuahua toy.

The improvement continues an upward trend for the company, which rebounded last year after two years of declines in same-store sales, a critical industry measure of growth.

Andrall Pearson, chairman and chief executive of Taco Bell parent Tricon Global Restaurants Inc., said he expects the trend to continue in the second quarter because of the launch of Grande Meals, which include 10 tacos or bean burritos, nachos and a Mexican pizza for $9.99.

“Grande Meals marks the first time Taco Bell has gone after the $20-billion ‘after 5’ dinner category designed for families,” Pearson said.

Pearson said a further boost is expected from the chain’s marketing tie-in to the upcoming release of “Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.” Tricon’s other fast-food chains, KFC and Pizza Hut, also are part of the promotion.

Tricon’s earnings nearly doubled in the first quarter to $106 million, or 66 cents a share, from $54 million, or 35 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue fell 6% to $1.8 billion from $1.9 billion a year earlier, due mainly to store closings and the sale of company-owned stores to franchisees.