Yum Brands to review strategic options for Pizza Hut, opening the door to a sale

Core Viewpoint - Yum Brands is exploring strategic options for Pizza Hut due to its underperformance and the need for additional actions to realize the brand's full value, which may be better executed outside of Yum [1] Group 1: Strategic Review - The company has not set a deadline for the review process, and potential outcomes may include divestiture, joint venture, or sale of a stake in Pizza Hut [2] - The review aims to address the challenges faced by Pizza Hut and improve its market position [1][2] Group 2: Historical Context - Pizza Hut has been part of Yum Brands alongside KFC and Taco Bell since PepsiCo spun off the restaurants in 1997 [3] - The announcement follows years of struggle for Pizza Hut, which has attempted to reposition itself as a delivery and carryout option [3][4] Group 3: Market Performance - Before the pandemic, Pizza Hut faced challenges in shifting its image from a dine-in venue to a delivery service [4] - Following a surge in sales during the pandemic, the chain has experienced a decline due to "pizza fatigue" as restrictions eased [4] - Pizza Hut's market share in the U.S. pizza market has decreased from 22.6% in 2019 to 18.7% in 2024, losing customers to competitors like Domino's Pizza [5] Group 4: Industry Trends - Other restaurant companies are divesting struggling parts of their businesses to improve balance sheets, indicating a trend in the industry [5][6] - Recent examples include Starbucks selling a majority stake in its China business and Jack in the Box divesting Del Taco for $115 million [6]