Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC face a major change
The three fast-food giants will all have to deal with something new that could impact consumers
It's very rare that people leave the top job at a company by choice.
Usually, you find out that a CEO has lost their job about the same time they. In many cases it's an ugly move where the person losing their job did nothing overtly wrong, but someone better became available.
Bob Chapek may have held on at Walt Disney longer is Bob Iger hadn't wanted to come back. The same might be said of multiple Starbucks CEOs had Howard Schultz not been willing to take the chair back temporarily and later current CEO Brian Niccol being willing to join from Chipotle.
You can argue that Laxman Narasihman might have gotten more than 18 months to turn the coffee brand around if Niccol hadn't been interested in the position.
That, however, is the cold reality of CEO changes. Even when one seems to be planned we're skeptical of whether a retirement is a nice way to say "pushed out the door."
That, however, does not seem to be the case with Yum! Brands where David Gibbs is stepping down and the chain will go in-house for his replacement. Image source: Taco Bell
Yum has a succession plan
While anything is possible. Yum Brands YUM succession plan seems to be orderly and by Gibbs' own volition.
Yum! Brands' board of directors has unanimously elected Chris Turner as Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2025.
Turner, who currently serves as Chief Financial & Franchise Officer for Yum! Brands, will succeed current Chief Executive Officer David Gibbs, who, in March 2025, informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire in the next year after 37 years with the company and a successful tenure as CEO.
All of that rings true as the chain has been doing well and Gibbs seemed like he could stay as long as he wanted.
Gibbs seem genuinely grateful for his time at the company.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead Yum! Brands and work with such passionate, talented people across our global system throughout my almost 37 years with the Company,” said Gibbs. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together and am confident that the best is yet to come."
Gibbs has served as Yum! Brands’ CEO since January 2020.
As CEO, Gibbs was instrumental in architecting and leading the Company’s digital transformation and tripled the pace of Yum! Brands’ annual net new unit development, leading to nearly 61,000 restaurant units worldwide. During Gibbs’ tenure, digital sales surpassed $30 billion in 2024, with over 50% of sales through digital channels.
He also oversaw the elimination and return of Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza, a business move that will be studied like "New Coke" for decades to come.
