Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, reported a 27% increase in fourth-quarter 2025 net income, with profit rising to $535m from $423m a year earlier.
Revenue for the three months to 31 December 2025 was $2.51bn, up 6% from $2.36bn in Q4 2024.
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Global system sales in the quarter rose 5%, excluding foreign currency translation and the impact of lapping the prior year’s 53rd week. Taco Bell led with 8% growth, followed by KFC at 6%.
Across all brands, Yum! Brands opened 1,814 gross units in the quarter, translating into 3% year-on-year unit growth.
KFC accounted for the bulk of the expansion with 1,132 gross restaurant openings, while Taco Bell added 228 gross new outlets.
Pizza Hut launched 443 gross new sites in the quarter, and The Habit Burger Grill division added 11 gross new restaurants over the same period.
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By GlobalDataDigital system sales in the fourth quarter exceeded $11bn, with digital channels accounting for nearly 60% of system sales.
Foreign currency translation increased divisional operating profit by $11m in the quarter.
GAAP earnings per share (EPS) were $1.91 for the quarter while EPS excluding special items came in at $1.73.
For the full fiscal year 2025, worldwide system sales advanced 5% on a basis excluding foreign currency translation and the 53rd week. Taco Bell again led with 8% growth and KFC with 6%.
The company opened 4,567 gross units over the year.
Yum! Brands CEO Chris Turner said: “Yum! delivered another year of outstanding results at KFC and Taco Bell, with our fundamentals stronger than ever at both brands.
“Taco Bell again gained market share with standout same-store sales performance, and KFC delivered another record-breaking year of unit development.
“We enter 2026 with a clear strategic focus on accelerating long-term growth, embodied in our multi-year ‘Raise the Bar’ priorities.”
The board of directors approved a dividend of $0.75 per share of common stock, marking a 6% increase. Yum! Brands is also expected to complete its strategic review of the Pizza Hut brand this year.
This may involve shutting down 250 underperforming stores in the US in the first half of 2026, according to a Reuters report.
