Latest news with #YumBrands
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Yum! Brands Upgraded to Buy as Taco Bell Drives Global Growth
Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) ranks among the best consumer discretionary stocks to buy now. Redburn-Atlantic upgraded Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) from Neutral to Buy on June 10 while raising the stock's price target from $145 to $177. Jeramey Lende/ Chris Luyckx of Redburn-Atlantic cited Taco Bell's outstanding performance and Yum! Brands' strong global presence as major factors in the company's success. Luyckx claims that Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) stands out in the industry owing to its growth potential and defensive resiliency. The analyst also noted that Taco Bell US and KFC International make significant contributions to the company's EBIT. Furthermore, Luyckx cited Yum! Brands' strategic initiatives, which are expected to support the company's growth trajectory. These include its diverse restaurant formats, its robust master franchise system, and its digital acceleration program, Byte. Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE:YUM) is an American multinational fast food corporation that operates well-known brands like KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and The Habit Burger Grill. While we acknowledge the potential of YUM as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. Read More: and Disclosure: None.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Stock Movers: Micron, Yum! Brands, Bumble
On this edition of Stock Movers: - Micron (MU) shares are up after the largest US maker of computer memory chips, gave an upbeat forecast for the current quarter, helped by demand for artificial intelligence equipment. Fiscal fourth-quarter revenue will be roughly $10.7 billion, the company said in a statement Wednesday. That was well ahead of the $9.89 billion average analyst estimate, sending the shares up in late trading. Micron is seeing increasing demand for components like its high-bandwidth memory, which are used in machines that develop and run AI tools. The company expects continued growth from that market as such software becomes more complex, requiring bigger amounts of memory. The company is also starting to recover from narrower profit margins in the previous quarter. - Yum! Brands (YUM) shares rose after JPMorgan upgraded the operator of such chains as KFC and Taco Bell to overweight from neutral. Analyst John Ivankoe sees 'sustained 4%+ unit growth, strong FCF generation,' and a 'pulled-back valuation'. - Bumble (BMBL) shares are down in after hours trading. The dating app said it's cutting almost one-third of its staff, months after founder Whitney Wolfe Herd returned as chief executive officer to overhaul the struggling dating Austin-based company will eliminate around 240 roles globally, or about 30% of its workforce, it said in an exchange filing Wednesday. It expects to achieve as much as $40 million in annual cost savings from the reductions, and plans to 'reinvest the substantial majority' of those savings in 'strategic initiatives including product and technology development.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
JCPS poised to accept Yum! Brands' offer to donate its Louisville campus
This story has been updated to add comments from a press conference. Outgoing Jefferson County Public Schools superintendent Marty Pollio said JCPS is poised to accept Yum! Brands' donation of its Louisville campus for a consolidated administrative building. In a June 23 news release, Yum! Brands announced it offered to donate its Louisville campus to JCPS. This donation would allow the district to use the profits from selling their existing buildings to improve schools and potentially build new ones, Pollio said at a press conference later in the day. The Jefferson County Board of Education must approve the donation before it is final, and a vote is expected to take place at the board's June 24 meeting. 'This generous donation is a game-changer for JCPS. Our current administrative buildings require significant renovations that are cost-prohibitive,' Pollio said in a prepared statement. 'This will allow us to consolidate several district buildings into one, allowing for stronger collaboration and communication.' Tell us what you think: Submit your letter to the editor here. The 11.6-acre Yum! Brands campus, located at 1441 Gardiner Lane, has two office buildings. One is a three-story, 88,000-square-foot facility built in 1970 and nicknamed the 'white house' in honor of its resemblance to the U.S. president's residence. The other is a five-story, 225,000-square-foot office building built in 1986. Pollio said the relocation process would take at least 12 months, if not longer. The potential donation comes at a fitting time for both entities. JCPS has been considering the sale of three administrative buildings — the Van Hoose and LAM buildings on Newburg Road and the C.B. Young Center on Crittenden Drive — to fund the consolidation of administrative operations, The Courier Journal reported. JCPS spokesperson Carolyn Callahan said the district still intends to sell those facilities, which Pollio previously estimated could bring the district a collective $25 million. The largest chunk would come from the C.B. Young Center, which he said has been sought by the nearby Kentucky Exposition Center. "This donation from Yum! Brands is the equivalent of a brand-new elementary school in JCPS that we will be able to build as a result of this," Pollio said at the press conference. Meanwhile, Yum! Brands has been mulling moving its corporate headquarters. The company has not announced a final decision about where it will move, but properties in downtown Louisville and the East End have been floated as possibilities, The Courier Journal reported. Yum! Brands announced it would be moving the KFC division of the company out of its Louisville headquarters and to Plano, Texas, roughly three months prior to announcing the possibility of moving its headquarters. 'This donation reflects Yum!'s long-standing commitment to Louisville and its belief in the power of education to unlock opportunity,' said David Gibbs, Chief Executive Officer of Yum! Brands. 'As we explore options for our Louisville headquarters, this moment created a unique opportunity to collaborate with JCPS. While we haven't made a final decision on the exact location of our new Louisville offices, we're evaluating several possibilities across the city and expect to determine the best path forward in the coming months.' This story may be updated. Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@ or @bkillian72 on X. This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS is poised to accept Yum! Brands' donated headquarters
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Pizza Hut makes big menu change amid startling customer behavior
It is no secret that consumers nationwide are pulling back their spending on fast food for several reasons, such as to save money due to concerns about inflation and tariffs. Also, more consumers are pivoting towards healthier foods, a trend that blossomed after the Covid pandemic. Fast-food prices have also increased by roughly 47% over the past decade, which has scared away many consumers struggling to afford a higher cost of living. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter A survey from LendingTree last year found that 78% of Americans view fast food as a luxury, since it has become less affordable. Also, 62% of Americans said they're eating less fast food due to rising prices, and 56% said they choose to make food at home when they want an easy and cheap meal. Related: Pizza Hut struggles to reverse troubling consumer trend Amid this consumer trend, Pizza Hut, which is owned by Yum Brands (YUM) , saw its system sales in the U.S. decrease by 7% year-over-year during the quarter, and its operating profit dipped by a whopping 20%. During an earnings call in April, Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs said Pizza Hut's sales performance in the U.S. was "disappointing" and flagged that the pizza chain was operating in an "intense competitive environment." "Pizza Hut is in a tough category right now in QSR (quick-service restaurants) in the U.S., and certainly the pizza category with everybody reporting negative sales is pressured," said Gibbs during the call. "But we've obviously seen Pizza Hut have significant growth in years past when they get the offerings right for consumers, like with melts and value." Image source: Shannon O'Hara/Getty Images To help attract customers back into its stores, Pizza Hut is shaking up its menu with four new limited-edition items at discounted prices. The pizza chain has launched Hut Lover's Pizzas, which include a new Spicy Hawaiian Lover's pizza that contains "spicy marinara sauce, ham, bacon, pineapple, jalapeño, and red chili flakes," according to a new press release. Related: Domino's Pizza suffers a startling loss as customers switch gears It also introduced a Meat Lover's pizza, which is topped with "pepperoni, Italian sausage, ham, bacon, seasoned pork, and beef." Pizza Hut's new Pepperoni Lover's pizza just contains extra cheese and pepperoni, while its new Veggie Lover's pizza is loaded with "mushrooms, onions, green peppers, diced tomatoes, and black olives." A large size of one of these pizzas costs $12.99. This is a deal, because a large pizza at Pizza Hut usually costs a little under $20, depending on the region. The new announcement from Pizza Hut comes after it recently made several bold attempts this year to win back customers. More Food + Dining: Papa Johns makes major menu change to win back customersSteak 'n Shake's beef tallow fries aren't as healthy as they appearChick-fil-A angers customers with major change in stores In February, it introduced its Ultimate Hut Bundle. This deal allows customers to order two medium pizzas, any eight boneless wings, sticks, and two dipping sauces, starting at $24.99. The following month, Pizza Hut brought back Cheesy Bites Pizza, a fan-favorite menu item, for a limited time. It also introduced three new exclusive dipping sauces: Chipotle Ranch, Ultimate Ranch, and Pepperoni Ranch. During the earnings call in April, Gibbs said that Pizza Hut will focus on its "3D strategy" to boost its sales going forward. This strategy includes "distinctive offerings for group occasions, dependable everyday value through platforms such as the $7 deal levers, and disruptive innovation to gain share in a competitive market." Related: McDonald's to suffer massive boycott from customers The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
How I Got Here: Sebastian Wright
Yum! Brands Sebastian WrightChief Food Innovation Officer, KFC Global Education If we were to interview your teachers, what would they say about you?"Sebastian is imaginative and enthusiastic in class, though keeping him focused can be a challenge when there is something more interesting happening outside the window!' What did you want to be when you grew up?I wanted to be happy and fulfilled, though I wasn't exactly sure how to get there at the time Work First JobI ran a paper route on the streets of London when I was 12. The newspaper bags were so heavy, I could barely lift them, but I was driven by the desire to earn my own money and be independent. I also loved being the first one up in the morning, out in the quiet streets with the world all to myself. What moments, or who, in your life influenced the way you work? What part of your career journey was unexpected?Making America my home was an unexpected turn in my career journey. I moved to Manhattan in August 2001, and the events of the following months were galvanizing in my decision to make the U.S. my permanent home. I deeply appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit and 'can-do' attitude of the many people I've worked with. It's uplifting and resonates with my own positive outlook. What do people think you do versus what you actually do?People think I eat chicken all day, every day. The reality? I only eat chicken most days. What is the best piece of advice that you've been given?No one is more invested in your life than you are–no matter what anyone else tells you. How do you recharge during your free time?By driving—whether it's cars on tracks, racing karts or riding bikes. I also love karaoke, a bold glass of Cab Sav, good friends and a great view. And of course, cooking and enjoying delicious food is always a highlight. What motivates you?I'm inspired by the passion of others and motivated to create meaningful change in thoughtful, often indirect ways. What drives me most is the desire to leave things better than I found them. Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Yum! Brands
