Operations

Yum Brands report on social responsibility highlights progress across brands

Image: Provided.

July 29, 2021

Louisville, Kentucky-based Yum Brands said this week it's made substantial progress around its social responsibility initiatives, like sustainability and global citizenship. The parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill brands said it has taken steps to improve its operations relative to climate action, food safety and creating greater equity and opportunity across its system, according to a news release.

"2020 marked a turning point for communities and businesses around the world, as the pandemic deepened existing societal issues and inequalities," Yum Brands CEO David Gibbs, said in the release. "Across our global system, we plan to be a meaningful part of the solution to the world's most pressing issues—inequality and the lack of opportunity that goes with it along with climate change and the impact to our lives and the planet."

Some of the actions the company highlighted include:

• Made grants through the $100 million global Unlocking Opportunity Initiative to support programs for frontline workers as well as global communities.
• Increased the number of women in senior leadership globally to 47%.
• Donated $70 million to support efforts like KFC's Blessings in a Backpack partnership, Pizza Hut's BOOK IT! Program and the Taco Bell Foundation's Live Más Scholarship.
• Continued work to reduce sodium on menus, with Pizza Hut International using low-sodium cheeses in approximately 40% of its markets.
• Announced plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions 46% below 2019 levels by 2030.
• Committed to move 1,000 restaurants to renewable energy by the end of 2021

Taken jointly, Yum Brands have 50,000 restaurants worldwide.