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Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC, HKEX: 9987) is the largest restaurant chain in China, operating over 15,000 restaurants across more than 2,000 cities. With flagship brands like KFC and Pizza Hut, and additional brands including Little Sheep, East Dawning, Taco Bell, Huang Ji Huang, COFFii & Joy, and Lavazza, Yum China caters to a wide array of culinary tastes and dining styles.
Founded in 2016 after separating from Yum! Brands, Yum China has grown to become a Fortune 500 company with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The company employs over 400,000 people and generates revenue through its own restaurants and franchise fees. In 2022, Yum China achieved nearly USD 10 billion in systemwide sales with approximately 13,000 units, including 9,094 KFCs and 2,903 Pizza Huts.
Yum China continues to innovate with its digital ecosystem and supply chain capabilities. Their industry-leading digital platform and loyalty program enable fast and efficient customer service. Recent strategic initiatives include expanding their price range to appeal to broader customer bases and launching engaging campaigns with popular e-games to attract younger audiences.
Recent Achievements:
- Reported record total revenue and adjusted operating profit for Q3 2023.
- Added 1,155 new stores in the first nine months of 2023, targeting 1,400-1,600 new stores for the full year.
- Increased share repurchase authorization by $1 billion, with plans to return $3 billion to shareholders from 2024 to 2026.
- Collaborated with Lavazza to expand the coffee brand in China.
- Launched innovative pet-friendly Pizza Hut restaurants in collaboration with Beijing Aita Animal Protection Foundation.
Current Projects:
- Enriching core menu offerings at KFC and Pizza Hut to drive incremental traffic.
- Expanding brand presence in lower-tier cities to capture demand from long-term consumption upgrades.
- Innovative store formats such as one-person hotpot modules for Little Sheep.
- Building awareness and fostering a culture of care with pet-friendly dining experiences and animal welfare initiatives.
CEO Joey Wat and CFO Andy Yeung emphasize the company's robust supply chain, digital innovation, and strategic growth plan to achieve its ambitious goals, including operating 20,000 stores by 2026 and returning significant value to shareholders.
Yum China has reported significant challenges in its first quarter of 2022 due to the resurgence of COVID-19, particularly the Omicron variant. Same-store sales decreased by approximately 4% year-over-year in January and February, with a steep decline of 20% in the first two weeks of March. Operating profit is expected to fall between $165 million and $200 million, down 20% year-over-year, affected by sales deleveraging and cost inflation. As of March 13, over 1,100 stores were temporarily closed or offering only takeaway services, highlighting the ongoing operational impacts.
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC) announced an update regarding its listing under the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act. On March 8, 2022, Yum China was identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following its annual report filing. The SEC's identification places Yum China at risk of being delisted from the NYSE by early 2024 unless the PCAOB can inspect its auditor or the Act is amended. The company continues to evaluate strategic options as it monitors market developments.
Yum China Holdings reported a 1% increase in total revenues for Q4 2021, reaching $2.29 billion, amid ongoing COVID-19 challenges. For the full year, revenues rose 19% to $9.85 billion. Operating profit surged to $1.39 billion for 2021, primarily due to a $618 million non-cash gain from re-measuring an equity interest in Hangzhou KFC. However, same-store sales dropped 11% year-over-year in Q4, with restaurant margins decreasing to 7.5%. The company opened a record 1,806 new stores in 2021, aiming for 1,000-1,200 new stores in 2022.
Yum China Holdings (YUMC) announced that its board of directors will consider a possible quarterly dividend on February 9, 2022. This decision aligns with the HKEX regulations requiring prior notice of such meetings. However, no assurance has been given that the dividend will be declared, as no board resolution has yet been adopted. The company, which holds exclusive rights to KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell in mainland China, operates over 11,415 restaurants across 1,600 cities. The latest update can be found on their investor relations website.
Yum China Holdings, Inc. (YUMC) has announced the expansion of its KFC brand to include regional Chinese cuisines, launching 12 new menu items in 2021 to cater to local tastes. This strategy aims to enhance market penetration and meet changing consumer demands. KFC's local offerings like hot dry noodles and xiaolongbao have received positive customer feedback, contributing to brand loyalty. The launch of hot dry noodles was particularly successful, with over 1 million bowls sold within a week. Yum China continues to collaborate with local brands to ensure authentic flavors and quality ingredients.
Yum China Holdings will report its unaudited financial results for Q4 and fiscal year 2021 on February 8, 2022, at 4:30 PM ET. Following the release, an earnings conference call will be held at 7:00 PM ET on the same day. Investors can access a live webcast of the call through the company’s website. Yum China, a franchisee of KFC and Pizza Hut in mainland China, had approximately 11,415 restaurants across over 1,600 cities by September 2021. The company ranked #363 on the Fortune 500 and has received various accolades for gender equality and sustainability.