Yum Brands Stock Price, News & Analysis

Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.67 per share of common stock, payable on December 13, 2024, to shareholders of record as of December 2, 2024. The company operates over 60,000 restaurants across more than 155 countries under the KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill brands. In 2024, Yum! was included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America for the eighth consecutive year and recognized by TIME Magazine, Newsweek, and USA Today for leadership and sustainability achievements.

Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, is actively investing in global workforce development through various career readiness initiatives. In 2020, the company launched the $100 million Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, focusing on preparing youth for employment across its 155+ operating territories. Notable programs include the LeadHERship program in South Africa targeting young women, the Hatch employability programme in the UK, and the Youth Enablement Program (YEP) in Sri Lanka. These initiatives provide job training, professional development, and employment opportunities, with thousands expected to participate by the end of 2024.

Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) has launched a -edition collection in collaboration with KFC, combining plush toys with KFC's iconic branding. The collection, available exclusively at Build-A-Bear workshops and online, features themed items including a KFC Bucket Costume, a KFC Plush Chicken Wristie, and KFC Pajama Outfit. The collaboration aims to celebrate togetherness during the holiday season, merging Build-A-Bear's interactive experience with KFC's comfort food tradition.

Pizza Hut held its annual global pizza-making competition in Dubai, where teams from 12 countries competed to make the best Pan and Stuffed Crust pizzas. The Bahrain team was crowned the 2024 Global Pizza Hut Champion, winning a 'Global Gold Pan' trophy and a $3,000 cash prize. The competition, featuring restaurant general managers and team members from across Pizza Hut's 110-country network, tested participants' speed, precision, and cutting techniques. Additionally, the event included a 'Make Table Magic' innovation contest, won by Korea's Dakgalbi Pizza, and a 'Winning Recipe' cheer competition.

Pizza Hut launches its first-ever Tomato Wine, a -edition beverage crafted from ripe tomatoes and infused with basil, in partnership with Irvine's Just Beyond Paradise Winery. The wine, priced at $25 (minimum two bottles), is available alongside a gift set ($60) including branded wine glasses and opener.

Simultaneously, Pizza Hut reintroduces its Triple Treat Box starting at $19.99, featuring two medium one-topping pizzas, breadsticks or cheese sticks, and dessert in a holiday-themed box. Both offerings aim to enhance holiday gatherings and provide unique gifting options.

Pizza Hut has partnered with Smurfit Westrock to promote pizza box recycling awareness in Louisville, Kentucky. Research shows that pizza boxes, including those with grease, are recyclable where infrastructure permits, with approximately 75% of U.S. residents having access to pizza box recycling. The company's boxes contain at least 35% recycled content, and they're working to educate consumers about recycling possibilities. With over 3 billion pizza boxes consumed annually in the U.S., this initiative aims to improve packaging circularity through collaboration between consumers, manufacturers, brands, and communities.

Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) reported Q3 2024 results with worldwide system sales growing 1% and unit growth of 5%. Taco Bell U.S. achieved 4% same-store sales growth, while KFC International expanded units by 9%. Third-quarter GAAP EPS was $1.35, while EPS excluding Special Items was $1.37. Digital sales exceeded $8 billion, representing over 50% of total sales. The company opened 1,029 gross new units across its brands, with KFC Division opening 685 restaurants across 65 countries. However, same-store sales declined 4% at KFC and Pizza Hut, while Taco Bell maintained positive growth.

Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) has scheduled its Q3 2024 earnings release for Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. ET, followed by a conference call at 7:45 a.m. ET. The company operates over 60,000 restaurants across more than 155 countries under the KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill brands. The earnings call will be accessible via webcast and telephone, with playback available through November 12, 2024. The Q&A session will be to analysts only.

KFC and Hatch have partnered to create a unique sleep-inducing sound called 'Kentucky Fried Chicken Rain', inspired by the similarity between frying chicken and rainfall. This custom sound is now available on Hatch Restore 2 smart sleep devices with a Hatch+ premium content subscription, as well as on YouTube and Spotify.

The collaboration includes:

• A new content channel on Hatch+ featuring the sound of frying KFC's new Original Recipe® Tenders
• Behind-the-scenes content from Hatch's visit to KFC's test kitchen
• Co-branded products, including a Hatch x KFC Sleep Shirt
• Special discount on Hatch Restore 2 devices for KFC Rewards members

KFC also introduced its new Original Recipe® Tenders nationwide on Oct. 14, offering a $5 meal deal with three tenders, fries, and two signature sauces.