Yum China outlines KFC and Pizza Hut expansion into lower‑tier cities

Core Insights - Yum China plans to accelerate store openings and enhance profitability, focusing on lower-tier cities [1][2] - KFC aims to increase its outlets by one-third to over 17,000 by 2028, with an expected operating profit exceeding 10 billion yuan ($1.41 billion) [1] - Pizza Hut plans to add over 600 new restaurants annually, targeting a total of more than 6,000 locations by 2028 [2] KFC Expansion - KFC's strategy includes flexible store formats and an accelerated franchise model to penetrate over 2,000 lower-tier cities [1] - The company targets a restaurant margin of 17.3% for KFC by 2028 [5] Pizza Hut Expansion - Pizza Hut's operating profit in China is expected to double from 2024 to 2029 [2] - The brand aims for a restaurant margin of at least 14.5% by 2028 [5] Technology and Supply Chain - Yum China plans to enhance its technology and supply-chain initiatives, including the use of AI for decision-making and coordination [3] - The company will collaborate with suppliers to create integrated supply-chain parks for operational synergies [3] Financial Targets - For 2025, Yum China targets a group restaurant margin of 16.2% to 16.3%, with free cash flow per share projected at $2.20 to $2.30 [4] - By 2028, the company aims for a total of over 25,000 stores and a group restaurant margin of at least 16.7% [5] Recent Performance - Pizza Hut recorded a same-store sales decline of 1% in Q3 2025, primarily due to a 6% drop in the US market [6]