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 highlights the growth and community engagement of its franchisee, Tasty Hut LLC, which operates over 220 Pizza Hut locations across 11 states. The franchise began in 1959, and today, Pizza Hut operates more than 18,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. Tasty Hut focuses on delivering great customer experiences through its 'Hut Family Values' and aims to expand by remodeling and opening new locations. Recent initiatives include leveraging new technologies, community support initiatives like Ukraine fundraisers, and a commitment to enhancing guest experiences, all while maintaining operational excellence.
KFC Foundation has partnered with Western Governors University (WGU) to provide 100% paid tuition for KFC restaurant employees seeking degrees. The initiative covers over 60 programs across various fields, including Business and Healthcare. This non-competitive program allows employees to enroll anytime and starts from day one of employment. Additionally, the KFC Foundation offers up to $20,000 in educational grants. This partnership aims to enhance career growth and support KFC employees, helping them balance work and education while fostering community development.
Yum! Brands reported its fourth-quarter and full-year results for 2022, revealing a GAAP EPS of $1.29 (up 17%) and a full-year GAAP EPS of $4.57 (down 12%). Excluding special items, fourth-quarter EPS was $1.31 (up 29%) and full-year EPS was $4.51 (up 1%). The company achieved a record 4,560 gross new unit openings and system sales growth of 8% for Q4, driven by Taco Bell and KFC. However, profit margins suffered from foreign currency translations, with $42 million lost in Q4. As a result of exiting Russia, overall performance metrics were negatively adjusted. The quarterly dividend increased to $0.605, reflecting ongoing shareholder value.
Taco Bell Canada announces the return of its popular Mexican Pizza, available for a limited time starting February 6. Fans can get early access from February 3 at select locations through the Taco Bell Canada App. The Mexican Pizza features seasoned beef or refried beans between crispy tortilla shells, topped with sauce, tomatoes, and a three-cheese blend. It will be sold a-la-carte or as part of a combo meal. The promotion runs until April 2 or until supplies last. Rohit Sharma, Senior Marketing Manager, emphasized their commitment to customer feedback in bringing back this fan-favorite item.
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has announced the nationwide launch of its new KFC Wraps starting on February 6. Customers can enjoy a promotional deal of two wraps for just $5. This follows a successful test in Atlanta in 2022, where KFC received over 42,000 mentions on social media from fans craving wraps. The menu features two options: the Classic Chicken Wrap and the Spicy Slaw Chicken Wrap. KFC is also engaging with customers by surprising some with gifts like a tortilla wrap blanket and gift cards. These wraps are available at participating locations for a limited time, with a combo option priced at $7.99.
On January 18, 2023, Pizza Hut and YouTube star Airrack broke the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the World's Largest Pizza in Los Angeles, measuring nearly 14,000 square feet. This event celebrated the return of The Big New Yorker pizza, a fan favorite since the 1990s, set to be available at participating restaurants on February 1, 2023. The record-setting pizza used approximately 13,653 pounds of dough and over 8,800 pounds of cheese, with all servings donated to local charities. The initiative highlights Pizza Hut's commitment to customer engagement and community support while reviving a beloved menu item.
Pizza Hut is bringing back its famous 16'' New York-style pizza, The Big New Yorker, nationwide starting February 1, 2023. This limited-time offer features six oversized slices with flavorful toppings. Customers can order the pizza, starting at $13.99, with double pepperoni or choose their own topping. The return follows numerous requests from fans, including petitions, highlighting its popularity since its initial launch in 1999. Hut Rewards members can access the pizza early on January 31.
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