Yum! Brands reported third quarter 2026 results highlighted by the strategic completion of its Pizza Hut divestiture and continued recovery from domestic operational disruptions. While adjusted EPS of $1.56 beat analyst expectations, total revenue of $2.05 billion was slightly below the $2.06 billion consensus.
Key Highlights
- The completed sale of the Pizza Hut brand resulted in a $1.7 billion pre-tax gain and approximately $2.38 billion in total divestiture proceeds.
- Taco Bell U.S. same-store sales fell 4%, a steeper decline than the 2.8% drop expected following the July 2026 cyclospora outbreak.
- KFC global unit count increased 7% year-over-year, supported by a record 878 gross new restaurant openings during the quarter.
- Digital momentum continued with digital system sales exceeding $9 billion, representing a record 64% mix of total sales.