Yum China’s brands Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang have expanded their domestic as well as overseas footprint since the beginning of 2024.

The two restaurant brands, which specialise in Chinese cuisine, have opened new stores and unveiled new store formats to cater to a variety of party sizes.

In May 2024, Little Sheep added nine new stores across cities in China.

The brand relaunched in the US market in April with the opening of a new store in the American Dream Meadowlands shopping complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Little Sheep has diversified its offerings domestically with the introduction of new store formats, developing one-person hotpot modules to accommodate smaller party sizes.

Huang Ji Huang, known for its Chinese-style casual dining, has also seen expansion both within China and in global markets in 2024.

The brand recently updated its logo and store design, alongside a refreshed brand strategy. The rebranding effort is intended to strengthen Huang Ji Huang's leadership in the simmer pot category and to attract a younger demographic.

Yum China stated: “The Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang brands mark their 25th and 20th anniversaries respectively this year.

“Under Yum China's Chinese dining business unit, both brands benefit from enhanced economies of scale and stronger food innovation capabilities which help to achieve a high standard of customer experience and operating efficiencies.

“Yum China expects its Chinese dining store count to reach 800 by the first half of 2024."

Established in 2004, Huang Ji Huang operates primarily under a franchise model. Yum China acquired a controlling interest in the group in April 2020.