Yum! Brands Highlights Momentum at Taco Bell and KFC in Q4 Earnings Call

Company outlines plans for Pizza Hut turnaround as strategic review continues.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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Yum! Brands executives emphasized strong performance at Taco Bell and KFC, including market share gains and record-setting development, during the company's 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call. The company also discussed expanding digital engagement, the progress of its Byte by Yum technology platform, and expectations for a Pizza Hut turnaround program as part of an ongoing strategic review.

Why it matters

Yum! Brands' performance and strategic initiatives provide insights into the broader quick-service restaurant industry, which has faced challenges and shifts in consumer behavior in recent years. The company's focus on digital transformation, brand innovation, and addressing underperforming segments like Pizza Hut could have implications for its long-term competitiveness.

The details

Yum! Brands reported that Taco Bell and KFC led the company's results in 2025, with Taco Bell delivering 7% same-store sales growth and KFC reaching a milestone of 30,000 international restaurants. The company also highlighted strong digital growth, with digital sales topping $11 billion and accounting for nearly 60% of total sales. Regarding Pizza Hut, management outlined a strategic review and a turnaround program called 'Hut Forward' that includes marketing support, technology modernization, and targeted store closures in the U.S.

  • Yum! Brands opened more than 1,800 new units in the fourth quarter and more than 4,550 for the full year 2025.
  • KFC opened over 1,100 units in the fourth quarter and nearly 3,000 for the year across 105 markets, a record pace for gross openings.
  • Taco Bell opened 228 units in the fourth quarter, its second-highest fourth quarter ever, and entered five new markets in 2025.
  • Pizza Hut opened over 440 gross units in the fourth quarter and nearly 1,200 gross units in 2025 across 65 countries.
  • In the first half of 2026, Yum expects approximately 250 targeted Pizza Hut U.S. closures as part of the Hut Forward program.

The players

Yum! Brands

A global quick-service restaurant company that develops, operates, and franchises a portfolio of well-known restaurant brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell.

Chris Turner

CEO of Yum! Brands.

Ranjith Roy

CFO of Yum! Brands.

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What they’re saying

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The takeaway

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