Yum Brands Stock Price, News & Analysis

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.

Yum! Brands, Inc. has announced the promotion of Shannon Hennessy to Chief Executive Officer of The Habit Burger Grill Division, effective June 6. Hennessy, currently the Division President, succeeds Russ Bendel, who is retiring after a significant career. Under Hennessy’s leadership, The Habit aims to leverage growth opportunities, building on recent successes such as an 18% franchise growth and a 35% digital sales mix. Bendel, credited for expanding the brand from 16 to around 350 locations since 2008, emphasized operational excellence and digital integration during his tenure. Hennessy has a strong background, including leadership roles at KFC and McKinsey & Company.