Welcome to our dedicated page for Yum! Brands news (Ticker: YUM), a resource for investors and traders seeking the latest updates and insights on Yum! Brands stock.
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM) is the world's largest restaurant company, boasting a portfolio that includes renowned brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill. With over 39,000 restaurants in more than 130 countries and territories, Yum! Brands serves millions of customers globally and employs over 1 million associates.
Founded as a division of PepsiCo and formerly known as Tricon, Yum! Brands generates significant revenue primarily through franchise royalties and marketing contributions. This business model has proved successful, with the company achieving $64 billion in systemwide sales in 2023. Yum! Brands is 98% franchised, with Yum China, its largest franchisee, spun out in 2016. Despite this separation, Yum China continues to pay 3% royalties to Yum! Brands.
Yum! Brands is an industry leader in the fast-food sector, with KFC specializing in chicken, Pizza Hut in pizza, Taco Bell in Mexican-style food, and The Habit Burger Grill in burgers. The company is second in global sales, trailing only McDonald's but surpassing Restaurant Brands International and Starbucks. As of year-end 2023, KFC operated 29,900 units, Pizza Hut 19,866 units, Taco Bell 8,564 units, and The Habit Burger Grill 381 units.
Known for its unique corporate culture, Yum! Brands emphasizes fun, recognition, and career development. The company invests heavily in its workforce to maximize their career potential, creating a diverse and inclusive environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally.
Yum! Brands is also at the forefront of technological innovation in the fast-food industry. Led by Joe Park, the Chief Digital and Technology Officer, the company is leveraging artificial intelligence to transform its operations across all brands. By 2024, about 45% of Yum!'s sales were digital, highlighting a significant shift from traditional sales channels.
On the product front, Yum! Brands continuously innovates to meet consumer demands. For example, Pizza Hut recently introduced the Cheeseburger Melt, a unique fusion of pizza and burger elements, while KFC launched new Saucy Nuggets flavors for a limited time. Taco Bell, through its Live Más Scholarship program, is also investing in the future success of young people by awarding $10 million in scholarships in 2024.
Yum! Brands is not just about food; it's about community engagement and social responsibility. The company is involved in numerous initiatives, such as KFC’s Add Hope program in South Africa, which supports children's education and well-being.
Overall, Yum! Brands, Inc. stands out for its extensive global reach, innovative approach to technology and food, and commitment to a positive workplace culture and community impact.
Yum! Brands announces a new financing initiative called Franchise Fast Start in partnership with investment firm Lafayette Square, aimed at lending up to $50 million to underrepresented franchisees. This program seeks to enhance diversity within the company's franchise ownership and supports both new and existing franchisees. Wanda Williams, head of Yum! Global Franchising, emphasized the importance of diverse ownership, stating that the initiative aims to level the playing field in franchising, benefiting both franchisees and communities. The program aligns with Yum's goal of becoming the preferred multi-brand franchisor globally.
Yum! Brands highlights franchisee Premila Vishwanath in a new series emphasizing diversity within its Pizza Hut System. Vishwanath, who transitioned from corporate roles at Taco Bell to owning 14 Pizza Hut locations, reflects on her journey and the challenges faced as a female entrepreneur. She stresses the importance of mentorship and support received from the Pizza Hut community. Vishwanath advocates for inclusivity, encouraging business leaders to foster a culture that celebrates diversity and value in their teams. Her advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs includes researching franchises with good reputations, networking, and embracing risks for success.
Yum! Brands highlights the leadership of Tiffany Furman, Chief Financial Officer of The Habit Burger Grill, in a recent press release. Furman emphasizes the importance of prioritization and communication to achieve work-life balance, underpinned by a supportive team environment. She shares her inspiration from female role models like Cheryl Miller, acknowledging the challenges women face in sports and leadership. Furman encourages empowerment through leading by example and providing opportunities across gender and race. The initiative underscores Yum! Brands' commitment to showcasing female voices and promoting a diverse workplace.
KFC on Oxford Road in Reading is engaging in community efforts to combat litter by participating in Keep Britain Tidy's Great British Spring Clean program as a headline partner. The restaurant emphasizes the importance of community improvement and aims to lead by example in fostering a cleaner environment. This initiative highlights KFC's commitment to community and environmental responsibility.
Yum! Brands supports the launch of The Assignment, a web-series by the It Gets Better Project, aimed at connecting LGBTQ+ youth with professionals in the culinary industry. With the Taco Bell Foundation's generous backing, the series addresses workplace discrimination faced by nearly 50% of LGBTQ+ youth, offering mentorship from notable figures such as Melissa King and Lazarus Lynch. The initiative aligns with Taco Bell Foundation's commitment to career-readiness, having invested over $200,000 in the It Gets Better Project since 2022. The series will include an educational guide to enhance discussions, following previous successful projects targeting marginalized voices. The Taco Bell Foundation has awarded over $150 million in scholarships since 1992, enriching the future prospects for young leaders.
Yum! Brands is launching a new sustainable packaging policy across its global restaurant brands—KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill—to address the 2 billion tons of waste produced annually worldwide. The policy focuses on three key measures: eliminating unnecessary packaging, shifting to sustainable materials, and supporting better recycling systems. The initiative aims to transition away from unrecoverable plastics, with brands like Pizza Hut and KFC already making significant strides. Despite progress, challenges remain due to varied global regulations around sustainability. The company is committed to improving its environmental footprint and fostering a circular economy.
Yum! Brands recently launched a series to celebrate diversity within its franchise community, featuring Jason Cochran, CEO of American West Restaurant Group, as the first franchisee spotlight. Cochran, with over 25 years in the business including significant roles at GameStop and Chipotle, shared his journey of overcoming challenges as a mixed-race business owner. He emphasized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in both personal and professional spheres. As the leader of the third-largest Pizza Hut franchise, Cochran is committed to fostering a supportive workplace and community involvement, stressing the value of cultural representation and mentorship. The initiative aligns with Yum! Brands' objective to highlight franchisee stories during heritage months.
Pizza Hut has launched the Hut Hat, a reversible bucket hat, in collaboration with Chain, a culinary collective. This limited-edition accessory features one side resembling Pizza Hut's iconic red roof and the other a checkered Tiffany lamp design. Retailing for $35, the Hut Hat is aimed at fans who wish to express their love for the brand beyond dining. This product launch marks the beginning of a partnership between Pizza Hut and Chain. The Hut Hat will be available starting April 5, 2023, at eatatchain.com. Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of YUM and operates nearly 18,000 restaurants globally.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is launching new Kentucky Fried Chicken Nuggets nationwide on March 27, 2023. Made with 100% white meat and hand-breaded in KFC's Original Recipe of 11 herbs and spices, these nuggets mark KFC's return to nugget offerings after a successful test run in 2022.
Available in multiple sizes, starting at $3.49, the nuggets can be paired with various sauces and are intended to elevate the nugget experience for consumers. Additionally, KFC will reintroduce its $5 Mac Bowls on April 3, featuring the new nuggets. KFC's CMO Nick Chavez emphasized that these nuggets provide a unique taste compared to competitors, aiming to break the 'nugget blandemic' consumers have faced.
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