1851

<a href="https://www.yum.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Yum! Brands</a> CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-w-gibbs?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">David Gibbs</a> has announced his plan to retire in early 2026, capping off a remarkable 36-year career with the company. Gibbs, who became CEO at the end of 2019, has held numerous leadership roles at Yum! since joining in 1989, including COO, CFO and CEO of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pizzahut.com/international?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pizza Hut International</a>. The company’s board of directors has formed a succession planning committee to identify the next CEO, with Gibbs continuing to lead until the transition is complete in Q1 2026. “During my time as CEO and throughout my 36 years with Yum! Brands, it has been an honor to work alongside this incredibly talented team and our dedicated franchisees to build the most loved, trusted and connected restaurant brands around the world,” said Gibbs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250331870458/en/Yum-Brands-Announces-Leadership-Transition-Plans-David-Gibbs-to-Retire-in-2026?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">in a press release</a>. “I set out to strengthen and broaden the appeal of our iconic brands, build industry-leading digital capabilities, dramatically accelerate the pace of profitable new unit development and amplify our people-first culture. I am pleased with the progress we have made on all fronts and know that Yum! Brands is now stronger and more resilient than ever. I look forward to supporting the next CEO candidate and ensuring the company is set up for continued success. In the meantime, my focus remains on executing our strategy and delivering against our growth commitments.”Gibbs’ leadership was marked by both crisis management and innovation. Just a few months into his tenure, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global operations, shuttering thousands of restaurants. In response, Gibbs waived his salary to support employees and accelerated digital transformation across Yum!’s brands. He spearheaded initiatives like contactless delivery and rapidly expanded digital ordering and payment systems. His vision pushed the company’s digital maturity ahead by years, with digital sales surpassing $30 billion in 2024 and accounting for over half of total sales.Under Gibbs, Yum! focused on expanding unit development, opening 4,535 new stores in 2024 alone and reaching over 61,000 locations globally. A major highlight of his tenure was the launch of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.yum.com/wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands/news/press-releases/introducing+byte+by+yum+an+ai+driven+restaurant+technology+platform+powering+customer+and+team+member+experiences+worldwide?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Byte by Yum!</a>, a proprietary AI-powered platform that unifies key tech systems such as POS, ordering, delivery and labor management. Through a recent partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NVIDIA</a>, Yum! is now pioneering AI innovation in the restaurant industry, integrating cutting-edge solutions to enhance Byte’s capabilities.Read the full press release&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250331870458/en/Yum-Brands-Announces-Leadership-Transition-Plans-David-Gibbs-to-Retire-in-2026?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">here</a>.&nbsp; Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company-2728998" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs to Retire in 2026 | Leadership Transition

1851 Franchise

From navigating the pandemic to spearheading AI-powered tech, Gibbs leaves behind a transformed Yum! poised for continued global expansion.

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

yum-brands-ceo-david-gibbs-to-retire-in-2026-after-36-years-with-the-company

Preservan

Preservan Joins UpFlip Academy To Teach Entrepreneurs How To Launch a Profitable Restoration Business

preservan-joins-upflip-academy-to-teach-entrepreneurs-how-to-launch-a-profitable-restoration-business

USA Ninja Challenge

USA Ninja Challenge — From Start to Finish: A Business Model That Works

usa-ninja-challenge-from-start-to-finish-a-business-model-that-works

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Canton, Ohio

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-canton-ohio

Children's Lighthouse

Why Now Is the Time To Invest in a Children’s Lighthouse Franchise

why-now-is-the-time-to-invest-in-a-childrens-lighthouse-franchise

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Wisconsin Layne’s Franchisees Secures Real Estate, Set To Open in July

wisconsin-laynes-franchisees-secures-real-estate-set-to-open-in-july

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

Dave’s Hot Chicken Sold to Roark Capital in $1 Billion Deal to Fuel Global Expansion

daves-hot-chicken-sold-to-roark-capital-in-1-billion-deal-to-fuel-global-expansion

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands - 1851 Franchise

DoorDash Expansion Could Reshape Delivery and Operations for Franchise Brands

doordash-acquistions-deliveroo-sevenrooms

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Ed Holmes and Papa Murphy's logo

Thirty Years of Take ‘n’ Bake: Ed Holmes Reflects on a Lifetime With Papa Murphy’s

papa-murphys-franchise-ed-holmes-30-years

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

From Personal Care to Purpose-Driven Business: Why This Couple Is Bringing Griswold to Houston

from-personal-care-to-purpose-driven-business-why-this-couple-is-bringing-griswold-to-houston

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Yum! Brands CEO David Gibbs To Retire in 2026 After 36 Years With the Company

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS