Yum Brands Exceeds Q4 Sales Estimates Driven by Taco Bell and KFC
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 4d ago
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- Sales Growth Highlight: Yum Brands reported a 3% increase in worldwide same-store sales for Q4, surpassing analysts' expectations of 2.74%, indicating strong consumer demand for its affordable meal options.
- Taco Bell's Strong Performance: Taco Bell's same-store sales in the U.S. rose by 7%, exceeding the 6.5% forecast, primarily driven by the popularity of combo meals priced between $5 and $11.99, contributing approximately 36% to Yum's operating profits.
- KFC International Expansion: KFC's worldwide same-store sales grew by 3%, beating expectations, reflecting Yum's successful strategy of opening new stores in key growth markets, further solidifying its position in the international fast-food sector.
- Pizza Hut Chain Challenges: Yum is exploring strategic options for its Pizza Hut chain, which has seen sales decline for nine consecutive quarters, with a 5% drop in U.S. sales for the full year, highlighting the tough landscape in the competitive fast-food industry.
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Analyst Views on YUM
Wall Street analysts forecast YUM stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for YUM is 164.33 USD with a low forecast of 145.00 USD and a high forecast of 185.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
21 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
14 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 161.090
Low
145.00
Averages
164.33
High
185.00
Current: 161.090
Low
145.00
Averages
164.33
High
185.00
About YUM
YUM! Brands, Inc. and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of approximately 61,000 restaurants in 155 countries and territories under the concepts of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill. It consists of four operating segments: The KFC Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the KFC concept; The Taco Bell Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Taco Bell concept; The Pizza Hut Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Pizza Hut concept; and The Habit Burger Grill Division, which includes its worldwide operations of the Habit Burger Grill concept. It develops, operates, or franchises a system of both traditional and non-traditional restaurants. KFC restaurants offer fried and non-fried chicken products. Taco Bell offers Mexican-style food products. Pizza Hut specializes in the sale of ready-to-eat pizza products. The Habit Burger Grill offers chargrilled burgers and sandwiches made-to-order over an open flame.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Strategic Review Progress: Yum disclosed this plan during its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call, emphasizing that the review process is ongoing and expected to be completed this year, although specific outcomes were not provided.
- Same-Store Sales Performance: Pizza Hut reported a 1% decline in same-store sales globally for both the fourth quarter and the full year, while international same-store sales rose 1%, indicating strong performance in the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
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- Digital Sales Driving Growth: Digital sales reached $11 billion, growing 25% year-over-year, with digital sales mix approaching 60%, showcasing the company's success in digital transformation, which is expected to further drive revenue growth in the future.
- Clear Strategic Goals: Taco Bell aims to reach approximately 3,000 international stores and 25%-26% U.S. restaurant margins by 2030, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth and a clear market expansion strategy.
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- Store Closure Plan: Pizza Hut plans to close approximately 250 underperforming U.S. restaurants in the first half of 2026 as part of Yum! Brands' strategic review aimed at improving near-term performance.
- Strategic Review Progress: Yum disclosed this plan during its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings call, emphasizing that the review process is ongoing and expected to be completed this year, although specific outcomes were not provided.
- Same-Store Sales Performance: Pizza Hut reported a 1% decline in same-store sales globally for both the fourth quarter and the full year, while international same-store sales rose 1%, indicating strong performance in the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia.
- Long-Term Growth Targets: Yum reaffirmed its long-term growth algorithm, targeting 5% unit growth and 7% system sales growth, while also aiming for at least 8% core operating profit growth over time, despite a projected decline in unit count in the short term.
See More
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- Acquisition Agreement: Texas Instruments is set to acquire Silicon Labs for $231 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at $7.5 billion, which not only boosts Silicon Labs' market valuation but also enhances Texas Instruments' competitive edge in the semiconductor sector.
- Positive Market Reaction: Following the acquisition announcement, Silicon Labs' stock surged by 49%, indicating strong investor confidence in the deal and reflecting optimistic expectations for consolidation within the semiconductor industry.
- Strong Earnings Performance: Silicon Labs reported an adjusted EPS of 56 cents for Q4, slightly above the consensus estimate of 55 cents, demonstrating stable financial performance that enhances the attractiveness of the acquisition.
- Industry Consolidation Trend: This acquisition represents a strategic move for Texas Instruments to expand its product line and signifies an acceleration in semiconductor industry consolidation, potentially triggering more similar deals that could reshape the market landscape.
See More
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- Store Closure Plan: Yum Brands announced plans to close 250 underperforming Pizza Hut units in the first half of 2026 as part of the ‘Hut Forward’ initiative aimed at improving overall business performance, which is expected to lead to a decline in global Pizza Hut unit count.
- Profit Outlook Decline: The company anticipates a nearly 15% drop in Pizza Hut's first-quarter core operating profit, primarily due to the impact of one-time marketing support investments that will negatively affect franchise and property expenses.
- Increased Competitive Pressure: Amid a consumer slowdown in the overall restaurant sector, Pizza Hut has struggled to keep pace with competitors, while KFC and Taco Bell have attracted more customers through value meals and new menu options.
- Market Sentiment Shift: According to Stocktwits data, retail sentiment on Yum Brands has shifted from ‘extremely bearish’ a week ago to ‘bullish’, reflecting investor confidence in KFC's international strength and Taco Bell's dominance in the U.S. market.
See More
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- Significant Membership Growth: Yum China's digital loyalty program has surpassed 590 million members, representing over 40% of the country's population, showcasing its strong market appeal and competitive advantage.
- Sales Channel Transformation: With 55% of sales coming from loyalty members, the company has successfully shifted consumers towards digital purchasing, thereby enhancing overall sales efficiency.
- New Technology Implementation: The AI ordering assistant launched by Yum China has been rolled out nationwide, attracting 2 million users, particularly excelling in breakfast and coffee orders, which further enhances customer experience and satisfaction.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: The loyalty program market in China is projected to reach nearly $33 billion by 2029, and Yum China's ongoing expansion and innovation position it to lead in this rapidly growing sector.
See More
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- Store Closure Initiative: Yum! Brands announced the closure of approximately 250 underperforming Pizza Hut locations as part of a portfolio cleanup, focusing on weaker-performing outlets among the total 19,974 globally, aiming to enhance overall operational efficiency.
- Sales Decline Context: In Q4, Pizza Hut division sales fell by 5%, with same-store sales also declining by 1%, indicating ongoing sales and profit pressures that have compelled the company to undertake a strategic review to address market challenges.
- Future Strategic Plans: The
See More
Yum! Brands Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
- Significant Sales Growth: Yum! Brands achieved a 5% increase in system sales in Q4 2025, with same-store sales up 3%, indicating sustained competitiveness in the market, particularly with strong performances from Taco Bell and KFC.
- Digital Sales Driving Growth: Digital sales reached $11 billion, growing 25% year-over-year, with digital sales mix approaching 60%, showcasing the company's success in digital transformation, which is expected to further drive revenue growth in the future.
- Clear Strategic Goals: Taco Bell aims to reach approximately 3,000 international stores and 25%-26% U.S. restaurant margins by 2030, demonstrating the company's confidence in future growth and a clear market expansion strategy.
- Accelerated KFC Expansion: KFC opened over 1,100 new units in Q4, with more than 4,550 new units for the year, setting a record pace, indicating strong momentum in global market development.
See More
