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Yum Brands has reported total revenues of $2.06bn (£1.51bn) for the first quarter ending 31 March 2026, a 15% increase compared with the previous year.
The group’s global system sales, which include sales from franchised and company-owned restaurants, also grew 6% to approximately $16.8bn (£12.35bn).
Digital transactions reached a record $11bn (£8.09bn) during the period, representing 63% of the group’s total sales mix. Net income rose 71% to $432m (£317.5m), while core operating profit increased 6% to $644m (£473.4m).
Taco Bell recorded system sales of $4.39bn (£3.23bn) for the quarter, up from $3.98bn (£2.93bn) in the same period last year.
Total revenues for the division rose 21% to $797m (£586m), supported by a 10% increase in US system sales.
Operating profit for the brand reached $281m (£206m), up 16%, as company-owned restaurant margins in the US reached 23.9%.
The division opened 30 new restaurants across eight countries, bringing its total estate to 9,021 units.
Meanwhile, KFC remained the group’s largest division by sales, reporting system sales of $9.33bn (£6.86bn), an increase from $8.34bn (£6.13bn) in 2025.
Total revenues grew 14% to $879m (£646.1m), while operating profit rose by 9% to $383m (£281.5m)
The brand expanded its global footprint by opening 648 gross new units, taking its total restaurant count to 34,332.
While the US market saw a slight decline, international markets such as the Middle East and India reported system sales growth of 19% and 16% respectively.
Additionally, Pizza Hut reported system sales of $3.11bn (£2.29bn), a slight increase from $3.03bn (£2.23bn) in the previous year.
However, total operating profit for the division fell 14% to $64m (£47.05m). The brand faced challenges in the US, where system sales dropped 6%.
The division opened 346 new restaurants during the quarter, bringing its total estate to 19,944 units. International performance provided a partial offset to domestic declines, with the China market reporting an 8% increase in system sales.
Chris Turner, chief executive, said: “We delivered solid topline momentum to start the year, with our fundamentals as strong as ever. Taco Bell delivered an outstanding 8% same-store sales growth, meaningfully ahead of the QSR industry, building off a very strong Q1 same-store sales growth rate in 2025.
“KFC delivered impressive unit growth and resilient same-store growth, with many KFC markets growing system sales double-digits. Yum! is incredibly well positioned to sustain sales momentum thanks to strong global consumer appeal for our brands, long-term consumption tailwinds, and our tech and AI capabilities.”
