Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs to Retire in 2026, Succession Plan Underway
Yum! Brands has announced the upcoming retirement of CEO David Gibbs, who plans to step down in early 2026. The board has formed a committee to identify the company’s next chief, with Gibbs staying in charge until his successor is named. Over nearly four decades at Yum!, he guided the firm through an aggressive digital push while tripling its annual net new unit development.
Since taking the helm in 2020, Gibbs has navigated unpredictable global conditions—such as COVID-19 and inflation pressures—while keeping the restaurant giant on a growth trajectory. Digital sales soared beyond $30 billion in 2024, and the company now boasts over 61,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries. Executives credit much of Yum!’s resilience to a “people-first” culture that fosters collaboration among its global teams and franchisees.
Gibbs says he’s proud of strengthening iconic brands like KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut, all while expanding The Habit Burger Grill. As the company gears up for its leadership transition, business insiders see it as an opportunity to further bolster Yum!’s international footprint and maintain its steady focus on digital transformation. With Gibbs remaining at the helm for another year, the board has ample time to choose a leader who’ll keep pushing Yum! Brands to new heights.
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