Yum! Brands, Inc. reports developments across a global quick-service restaurant portfolio that includes KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and Habit Burger. News commonly centers on brand-level menu value, product and marketing campaigns, loyalty programs, gift card infrastructure, digital ordering activity, franchise-system sales, same-store sales and unit growth.
Company updates also cover quarterly results, conference calls and board appointments. Because Yum! operates primarily through a franchised restaurant model, recurring news links consumer demand, franchisee economics, restaurant development, technology initiatives and international market performance to the company's operating results.
Yum! Brands announced a significant issuance of $2.25 billion in senior secured notes through its Taco Bell subsidiary. This includes $900 million of 1.946% notes, $600 million of 2.294% notes, and $750 million of 2.542% notes, with maturities extending to August 2051. Proceeds will repay earlier notes and fund corporate expenses, possibly including capital returns to shareholders. The offering is targeted at qualified institutional investors, adhering to the Securities Act, and is set to close on August 19, 2021.
Pizza Hut and Beyond Meat have expanded their partnership, introducing the Beyond Pepperoni pizza, a plant-based variant of Pizza Hut's popular topping. Available in nearly 70 locations across five U.S. markets, this innovative offering features simple ingredients like peas and rice, with no GMOs, soy, or gluten. The new pizza is designed to cater to the growing demand for plant-based options, appealing to health-conscious consumers. This collaboration reinforces Yum Brands' commitment to expanding plant-based menu options and enhancing customer choices.
YUM! Brands announced plans to refinance its Series 2016-1 Class A-2-II and Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Fixed Rate Senior Secured Notes, which total approximately $2.853 billion. The refinancing will introduce $2 billion in New Notes, aimed at repaying existing notes, covering transaction expenses, supporting general corporate purposes, and potentially returning capital to shareholders. The New Notes will be available to qualified institutional buyers under the Securities Act but will remain unregistered. No assurance is provided regarding refinancing timing or completion.
Yum! Brands, Inc. reported strong second-quarter results for the period ending June 30, 2021, with worldwide system sales growth of 26% and same-store sales growth of 23%. GAAP EPS was $1.29, up 91% year-over-year, while EPS excluding Special Items increased by 41% to $1.16. KFC led with a 35% same-store sales growth, followed by Taco Bell at 24% and Pizza Hut at 10%. The company opened 603 new units globally and revised its long-term unit growth target to between 4% and 5%. Positive trends in digital sales and international expansion supported this performance.
Pizza Hut launched its first-ever limited edition capsule collection called Pizza Hut Tastewear, inspired by classic brand elements. The collection features streetwear items like track suits and slides, priced from $9.99 to $99.99. Available online at PizzaHutShop.com, the launch is part of Pizza Hut's Newstalgia campaign aimed at modernizing beloved aspects of the brand.
The collection includes items celebrating the iconic red roof and checkered tablecloths, with hopes of connecting with pizza enthusiasts nationwide.
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KFC is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) to strengthen mentoring relationships. The company is donating $275,000 to provide meals for 5,000 mentors and youth this summer. KFC's contribution includes $175,000 in meals and $100,000 for workforce mentoring programs, enhancing youth career opportunities. This initiative aligns with BBBSA's mission to support positive youth outcomes, having assisted over 2 million youth in the past decade. The program aims to foster connections and empower young people through mentorship.
Yum! Brands recently announced the release of R.E.D. Marketing: The Three Ingredients of Leading Brands, authored by CMO Ken Muench and former CEO Greg Creed. This book outlines the R.E.D. Marketing principles - Relevance, Ease, and Distinctiveness - which have driven sales growth for Yum!'s brands like KFC and Taco Bell globally. The authors emphasize the importance of a cohesive marketing strategy, especially post-pandemic. All profits from the book will be donated to The Yum! Brands Foundation, supporting community initiatives.
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, reintroduces the iconic Edge® pizza, featuring a thin crust loaded with toppings, just in time for summer. The Edge, first launched in 1997, utilizes Thin 'N Crispy® dough and is now available in four recipes: The Ultimate, The Carnivore, The Vegetarian, and Pepperoni Lover's®, priced at $12.99 each for a limited time. Customers can order via contactless delivery, carryout, and more. With nearly 18,000 locations globally, Pizza Hut continues to lead in the pizza industry while ensuring a safe dining experience.
Yum! Brands has entered into a binding agreement to acquire Dragontail Systems for A$93.5 million. This acquisition aims to integrate Dragontail’s AI kitchen order management technology into Yum’s operations, enhancing delivery capabilities, particularly at Pizza Hut. Dragontail’s platform is already utilized in nearly 1,500 Pizza Hut locations across 10 countries. The acquisition, intended to close by Q3 2021, is expected to have an immaterial impact on Yum's 2021 financial results, pending regulatory approvals.