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☆ American fast-food giants are going big on a China wager, betting they can get the country's new middle class to love them back
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

An expansion rate surpassing America'sKFC, run by Shanghai-headquartered Yum China, has historically enjoyed the lion's share of the country's fast-food cravings. Hopes for a new middle class in ChinaCities in China are unofficially grouped into tiers according to their status, size, and wealth. Chinese KFC has nearly doubled its menu itemsExpanding during a sluggish economy might make sense for fast food brands, which are often classified as recession-proof as consumers downgrade their spending. Advertisement"Now, they are doubling down further on this strategy by expanding into the inland regions of China, especially Tier Three and Tier Four cities with a growing middle class," they told BI. Yum China has also been expanding aggressively in the country's burgeoning coffee scene, establishing a popular spin-off called KCoffee.

Persons: —, It's, McDonald's, Shaun Rein, Rein, Allison Malmsten, Malmsten, Cui Nan, Wang Gang, Jonathan Bernstein, Bernstein, Kung Fu, Daxue, it's, They've Organizations: Service, Thursday, Business, McDonald's, Tier, China Market Research Group, KFC, LONG, Future Publishing, Getty Images, China, US, Yum China, Daxue Consulting, Publishing, China News Service, Getty, Analysts, Yonder Consulting Locations: China, Kentucky, Weibo, Hangzhou, China's, Shanghai, China Cities, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanyang, Suqian, Jiangsu, London, Asia, Shanghai thronged

☆ China is Starbucks' 2nd biggest market, but sales are slumping. Here's why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Comparable store sales, a key measure for the restaurant industry, were down 14% in its most recent quarter. Sales slumpStarbucks' comparable store sales in China have been incredibly volatile over the past five years. But in recent months, they've been hit by cautious consumer spending and increased competition, then-CEO Laxman Narasimhan told investors in July. Luckin Coffee, Starbucks' biggest rival in China, has nearly three times as many stores as Starbucks in the country after monumental unit growth. "We're not interested in entering the price war," Starbucks China CEO Belinda Wong told investors in January.

Persons: —, Brian Niccol, they've, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, Sherri, Kearney, Luckin, McCafe, KFC's, Dave Xie, Oliver Wyman, Xie, latte, We're, Belinda Wong, Wong, it's, Brian Yarbrough, Edward Jones, Liu Ying Organizations: Service, Starbucks, Business, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Publishing, Getty, Reuters Locations: China, Beijing, Shanghai, Seattle, Luckin, Cotti, Xinhua

☆ Yum Brands reports mixed results as Pizza Hut and KFC same-store sales fall
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-06 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A sign is posted in front of a Taco Bell restaurant on May 01, 2024 in Richmond, California. Yum Brands on Tuesday reported a mixed quarter as both Pizza Hut and KFC reported declining same-store sales. Yum's same-store sales fell 1% in the quarter as both Pizza Hut and KFC reported same-store sales declines of 3%. And although the chicken chain's system sales picked up this quarter in China, its largest market, KFC's overall international same-store sales fell 3%. Pizza Hut's U.S. same-store sales decreased 1%, while its international same-store sales declined 4%.

Persons: Yum, Taco Bell Organizations: Taco Bell, Yum Brands, KFC, LSEG Locations: Richmond , California, U.S, China

☆ I ordered chicken tenders from 8 fast-food chains and ranked them from worst to best
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I tried chicken tenders from Popeyes, Chick-fil-A, Whataburger, Raising Cane's, KFC, Bojangles, Zaxby's, and Cook Out. Popeyes' and KFC's chicken tenders were similar in their crispy texture and flavor. Raising Cane's impressed me with its crispy-yet-juicy tenders and delicious signature sauce. AdvertisementI compared chicken tenders from eight different fast-food chains from across the country, and a lesser-known — but quickly expanding — chain took the top spot. Chicken is a hugely popular item at many fast-food chains, and some chains have built their entire business off this one menu item.

Persons: Cook, Cane's, —, Todd Graves, Graves Organizations: KFC, Service, Forbes, Business Locations: Louisiana

☆ Yum Brands earnings miss estimates as Pizza Hut, KFC sales disappoint
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that missed analysts' expectations as Pizza Hut and KFC struggled to attract customers. Yum's global same-store sales also fell 3% in the quarter, missing StreetAccount estimates of 0.2% same-store sales growth. Across Yum's three largest brands, only Taco Bell reported same-store sales growth. Taco Bell's U.S. locations reported same-store sales growth of 2%, while its international business posted a decline of 2%. Pizza Hut reported same-store sales dropped 7%, as demand lagged both in its home market and internationally.

Persons: Taco Bell, Yum Organizations: Yum Brands, KFC, LSEG Locations: Austin , Texas, Yum's, Mexican, Bell's U.S, U.S, China

☆ Long-predicted consumer pullback finally hits restaurants like Starbucks, KFC and McDonald's
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Starbucks announced a surprise drop in same-store sales for its latest quarter, sending its shares down 17% on Wednesday. Pizza Hut and KFC also reported shrinking same-store sales. Starbucks said bad weather dragged its same-store sales lower. Wingstop , Wall Street's favorite restaurant chain, reported its U.S. same-store sales soared 21.6% in the first quarter. This marks the second consecutive quarter that Burger King reported stronger U.S. same-store sales growth than McDonald's.

Persons: It's, McDonald's, it's, Taco Bell, January's snowstorms, we've, Ian Borden, Wall, International's Popeyes, Chris Kempczinski, Laxman Narasimhan, Narasimhan, David Gibbs, Taco, Yum, Burger, – Organizations: Starbucks Workers, D.C, Starbucks, KFC, Yum Brands, Taco, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Taco Bell, Brands Locations: Dupont Circle, Washington, Pizza, U.S, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Taco

☆ Yum Brands disappoints as KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut fall short of same-store sales expectations
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings and revenue that missed analysts' expectations as KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut all reported weaker-than-expected sales. Pizza Hut reported same-store sales declines of 2%, missing expectations of 0.6% growth. The pizza chain's U.S. same-store sales shrank 4%, while its international same-store sales were flat. The Mexican-inspired chain reported same-store sales growth of 3%, missing StreetAccount estimates of 3.8%. A year earlier, the chain reported same-store sales growth of 11%, fueled by the permanent return of its cult-favorite Mexican Pizza.

Persons: Yum, Taco Bell, David Gibbs Organizations: KFC, Taco, Yum Brands, Taco Bell, Starbucks, LSEG Locations: Taco Bell, Edmonton, Edmonton , Alberta, Canada, Israel

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHow China became KFC's most important marketKFC is one of the world's largest fast food chains with more than 29,000 restaurants and a new location opening every three and a half hours. But while much of the brand's early success came from the U.S., today the majority of its growth is in China. The first KFC franchise opened in Salt Lake City in 1952 but the chain didn't get its start in China until 1987. A leg up on the competition and an infusion of Chinese characteristics into the menu were key to its early success in China.

Organizations: KFC Locations: China, U.S, Salt Lake City

☆ I tried KFC's new chicken wraps, including a spicy mac and cheese. The new dishes should push McDonald's to get wraps back on the menu fast.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-07 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Chicken wraps are making a comeback at fast food chains like Wendy's and Burger King. The latest to join the fray is KFC, which introduced two chicken wraps in early January. KFC expanded its wrap menu a few weeks after McDonald's announced plans to bring back chicken wraps. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementMcDonald's triggered buzz when it announced in December plans to bring chicken wraps back to US menus.

Persons: Burger King, McDonald's, — Organizations: KFC, Service, McDonald's, Business Locations: Burger

☆ Slow Pizza Hut sales in the U.S. weigh on Yum Brands' revenue
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

(photo by Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)Yum Brands on Wednesday reported third-quarter revenue that fell short of analysts' expectations, hurt by weak same-store sales growth at Pizza Hut. Yum China CFO Andy Yeung said that sales had softened in late September through October, hurting its fourth-quarter results. But in the U.S., its second-largest market, KFC saw flat same-store sales growth. The pizza chain reported 2% same-store sales growth for international restaurants and flat same-store sales in the U.S.Pizza Hut isn't the only pizza chain that has struggled to win over U.S. consumers. Rival Domino's Pizza reported a 0.6% drop in same-store sales during its third quarter.

Persons: Mike Kemp, Andy Yeung, Yum, David Gibbs, Gibbs, Chick, Taco Bell Organizations: Getty, Brands, Refinitiv, Indian, Taco, KFC, U.S Locations: Birmingham, United Kingdom, China, Taco Bell's U.S, U.S

☆ Popeyes overtakes KFC as No. 2 chicken chain, but Chick-fil-A stays on top
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

2 chicken chain in the U.S., a decade after Chick-fil-A first unseated KFC from the top spot. Restaurant Brands International 's Popeyes launched a chicken sandwich in 2019 that turned into a blockbuster menu item and ushered in the chicken sandwich wars. Similar to KFC, Popeyes lost market share in the past year, but still retained enough to leapfrog its rival. It took more than a year for KFC to respond to Popeyes' chicken sandwich. 2 chicken chain.

Persons: Popeyes, Chick, Wendy's, Kevin Hochman, Patrick Doyle, Sami Siddiqui Organizations: KFC, Starbucks, Restaurant Brands, Yum Brands, Barclays, Brinker International, School Conference, CNBC Locations: U.S, Atlanta

☆ US sanctions authority delayed KFC's Russia exit -franchise owner
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Elena Fabrichnaya | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

It's OFAC office issued compliance guidance to the industry regarding the exit tax in the form of FAQs, or frequently asked questions, on Feb. 24, 2023, while negotiations on KFC's exit deal were still ongoing. The deal included all its Russian KFC restaurants, operating system and the trademark for the Rostic's brand. Once the buyers were approved, taking this new requirement into account, another one appeared - the budget contribution termed an "exit tax" by Washington - Levin said. "The closure was delayed again, the correct procedure on paying the exit tax was agreed," Levin said. Former KFC restaurants began opening in April as Rostic's, reviving a brand born soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Persons: Maxim, Sergei Levin, Levin, McDonald's, It's, Konstantin Kotov, Andrey Oskolkov, Elena Fabrichnaya, Alexander Marrow, Matt Scuffham, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Brands Inc, KFC, REUTERS, U.S . Office, Foreign Assets Control, Brands, Treasury, Smart Service, Russian KFC, Washington, Soviet Union, Rostic's, Thomson Locations: Russia, Moscow, Ukraine MOSCOW, U.S, Unirest, KFC's U.S, Ukraine, Russian, Soviet

☆ Yum Brands gets a lift as KFC's cheaper options draw more customers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Quarterly comparable sales at KFC jumped 13% and topped estimates for an 8.29% growth, as options like the 2-for-$5 fried chicken wrap and launches including chicken nuggets pulled in lower-income consumers struggling with high food prices. [1/2]A Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) bucket of mixed fried and grilled chicken is seen in this picture illustration taken April 6, 2017. Yum Brands' revenue rose 3% to $1.69 billion but fell short of estimates of $1.75 billion, largely due to weaker-than-expected sales at Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. Excluding items, Yum Brands earned $1.41 per share, above estimates of $1.24. Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli and Sriraj KalluvilaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Taco, David Gibbs, Edward Jones, Brian Yarbrough, Carlo Allegri, Chris Turner, Deborah Sophia, Shinjini Ganguli Organizations: KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza, Yum Brands, Wednesday, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Pizza, U.S, Kentucky, Russia, Ukraine, Bengaluru

☆ KFC is getting an unexpected boost from Trevor Noah's love of breakfast chicken
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Grace Mayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

KFC's "eat fried chicken for breakfast" campaign with Trevor Noah seems to be boosting sales. The campaign, which was launched in South Africa, has lead to strong sales growth, as noted in Yum Brand's earnings call Wednesday. KFC same store sales rose 13%, adding a huge boost to Yum Brands' overall sales. Yum Brand's, which owns KFC, attributed strong sales in South Africa to a chicken campaign with comedian Trevor Noah during the company's earnings call on Wednesday. The brand recently launched chicken nuggets to expand the brand's off-the-bone offerings.

Persons: Trevor Noah, Noah, Bell Organizations: KFC, Yum Brands, Service Locations: South Africa, Wall, Silicon, China, East

☆ Taco Bell owner Yum Brands misses revenue estimates despite soaring KFC sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported mixed quarterly results as Taco Bell's and Pizza Hut's same-store sales disappointed. Yum Brands' same-store sales grew 9% in the quarter, topping StreetAccount estimates of 6.9%. KFC's system sales in China soared 32%, while its U.S. system sales rose 5%. The pizza chain's domestic same-store sales rose just 1%. Its U.S. same-store sales increased 4%, but its international same-store sales shrank 1% in the quarter.

Persons: Yum Organizations: Brands Inc, Taco, Yum Brands, Refinitiv, U.S Locations: Taco Bell, Kentucky, Louisville , Kentucky, U.S, Russia, China, Taco Bell's

☆ High-stakes game of keeping secrets on Wall Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Citadel Securities' trading strategies? Look no further than a recently filed lawsuit by Citadel Securities against two former employees, per Bloomberg. The suit, which you can read here, alleges the former employees were building a competing high-frequency trading firm while still employed and used trade secrets gained while at Citadel Securities. Portofino told Bloomberg that the Citadel Securities lawsuit was "corporate bullying" and that it would defend itself. On the one hand, trading firms invest a lot of money — check out some salary ranges here — in developing these strategies.

☆ China's recovery lifts U.S. companies' sales as domestic consumers pull back spending
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

U.S. companies are reporting that demand in China is returning, boosting their sales at a time when many U.S. consumers are pulling back their spending. Starbucks reported that its same-store sales in China rose 3% in its latest quarter, reversing their declines. Some Wall Street analysts were still anticipating shrinking same-store sales for the company's second-largest market. That quarter, Starbucks' same-store sales in China sank 23%. Yum China , Yum Brands' master franchisee in China, also said its same-store sales grew 8% in the first quarter.

☆ Yum Brands earnings miss estimates despite KFC and Pizza Hut's recovery in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Yum Brands on Wednesday reported quarterly earnings that fell short of analysts' expectations, despite a China sales rebound for KFC and Pizza Hut. Yum joins the growing list of companies that includes Procter & Gamble and Starbucks that have reported recovering sales in China. In China, KFC's largest market, system sales climbed 17%, helping lift the chain's international same-store sales growth 11%. Overall, Pizza Hut's same-store sales rose 7%. Next quarter, Yum won't face any comparisons that include its Russian business because the company suspended operations there in early March last year.

☆ Pizza Hut-parent Yum Brands profit sliced by promotions
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Deborah Mary Sophia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Shares of the KFC and Pizza Hut owner tumbled more than 4% after the company also warned of a $10 million to $20 million hit to current-quarter operating profit. However, along with higher food and labor costs, foreign exchange pressures and ramped up investments in automation and digital business, the aggressive promotions largely drove a 25% slump in profit. McDonald's Corp (MCD.N), Burger King parent Restaurant Brands (QSR.TO) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG.N) all topped quarterly sales and profit estimates on the back of price hikes and robust demand. Labor challenges were also easing, with the company seeing job application rates increase while staffing levels were either at or near 2019 levels. Excluding special items, it earned $1.06 per share, missing estimates of $1.13, according to Refinitiv data.

☆ KFC owner says its 2-for-$5 deal on fried chicken wraps is winning over low-income shoppers that are being pummelled by rising costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Sawdah Bhaimiya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

KFC launched a two-for-$5 promotion on fried chicken wraps earlier this year. This deal led to strong sales from low-income shoppers at KFC during the first quarter, its parent company said. "In the Q1 KFC rolled out those $5 wraps," Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs said during the call. KFC added chicken wraps to its US menu in February 2023 after a trial in Atlanta in 2022. Insider reached out to Yum Brands for more details on how long the deal would run but did not immediately hear back.

☆ KFC is getting rid of 5 menu items — but one fan favorite is finally coming back
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( Aidan Pollard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

KFC is getting rid of popcorn chicken, Kentucky fried chicken wings, and chocolate chip cookies. The chain is also bringing back its fan favorite bun-less fried chicken sandwich. "The Double Down is one of the most buzzworthy fast food menu items ever," KFC US Chief Marketing Officer Nick Chavez said in a statement. She did not name any new items, but the fast food chain rolled out some new items in recent weeks. On February 6, KFC announced it would add Kentucky Fried Chicken Wraps to the menu nationwide.

☆ Fast food reigns supreme as inflation weighs on pricier restaurants
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-09 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Fast-food chains are looking like the big winners in the fourth quarter — and beyond — as fast-casual and casual-dining restaurants struggle to attract customers. Many publicly traded restaurant companies haven't reported their latest quarterly results yet, but for those that have, a pattern is emerging. The fast-food giant said U.S. same-store sales climbed 10.3%, helped in part by low-income consumers returning more frequently than they had for the prior two quarters. Taco Bell's domestic same-store sales climbed 11%, boosted by increased breakfast orders, the return of Mexican Pizza and its value meals. Pizza Hut's U.S. same-store sales grew 4%, while KFC's ticked up 1% as it faced tough year-ago comparisons.

☆ Earnings playbook: Your best moves ahead of Chipotle, Disney and the second half of reporting season
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Fred Imbert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Roughly 50% of S & P 500 companies have posted earnings thus far, and the results have been mixed. Tuesday Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to report earnings after the bell, followed by a conference call at 4:30 p.m. What history shows: Data from Bespoke Investment Group shows Chipotle beats earnings expectations 76% of the time and averages a 1.7% gain on earnings day. What history shows: Bespoke data shows Disney beats earnings per share estimates nearly 80% of the time. What history shows: PayPal earnings have beaten analyst earnings expectations nine of the last 10 quarter, according to FactSet.

☆ Meet the brands that won on TikTok in 2022 (and have the results to prove it)
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Tiktok For Business With Insider Studios | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Launched in May 2022, TikTok for Business Europe created an awards program to showcase the brands and agencies who were embracing the platform, and had incredible results to show for it. Together, these brands give a masterclass on what it takes to succeed on TikTok, showcasing campaign strategies and ad solutions that drive remarkable results. Videos were set up as In-Feed Ads on TikTok, geo-targeted specifically to 14 cities, inviting the TikTok community to visit them along the tour. In partnership with NewScreen, Back Market partnered with three TikTok creators who each leaned into a different environmental issue: water usage, CO2 consumption, and the use of raw materials. Unieuro perfectly showcased the power of creator-driven, native content and the impact of boosting creative as In-Feed Ads to maximize reach and engagement with the TikTok community.

☆ I visited KFC's pop-up London pub, where guests can get fried chicken delivered to their table and everything is chicken-themed. Take a look inside.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Grace Dean | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

To get a ticket, you have to sign up on Eventbrite. All the slots were booked up well in advance of the pub opening. There are still some slots available for walk-ins, though. Grace Dean/InsiderSource: Eventbrite

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