Yum! Brands names next CEO
Yum! Brands Inc. has selected an internal veteran to be its next chief executive.
The restaurant giant has named Chris Turner to serve as CEO, effective Oct. 1, 2025 following the incoming departure of David Gibbs. Turner has served as Yum! Brands' chief financial officer since 2019, and his role was expanded to include chief franchise officer in 2024, with responsibilities for finance, corporate strategy, supply chain, franchise standards and support.
Prior to joining Yum! Brands, Turner spent more than three and a half years at PepsiCo in several roles. Before that, he served at McKinsey & Company for more than 13 years.
Gibbs spent 37 years with Yum! Brands in a myriad of roles, and served as CEO since January 2020. He will remain CEO until Sept. 30, and will serve as an adviser to the company until the end of 2026 to ensure a seamless transition.
During his tenure, Gibbs led Yum! Brands’ digital transformation, and tripled the pace of the company’s annual net new unit development, leading to nearly 61,000 restaurant units worldwide.
“On behalf of the board, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to David Gibbs for his outstanding visionary leadership, and the lasting impact he’s made on Yum! Brands,” said Brian Cornell, non-executive chairman of the Yum! Brands Board of Directors. “David led the company during unprecedented times all while strengthening, transforming and growing the business, with Chris as a key partner. We are thrilled to appoint Chris as the next CEO — a proven leader with a deep understanding of the business, strategic expertise, financial acumen and unique perspectives that will help accelerate our growth.”
The company says that as CEO, Turner will be responsible for driving its "Good Growth" strategy, which includes ongoing digital initiatives, scaling innovation to power the Yum’s brands, and delivering long-term results.
“I’m deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at Yum! Brands and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this global company with such iconic brands,” said Turner. “I want to sincerely thank David Gibbs for his exceptional leadership and partnership. I’m excited to build on all that we’ve accomplished together alongside our talented teams and in partnership with our franchisees around the world, as we innovate, grow our brands and continue delivering exceptional experiences for our consumers.”
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Headquartered in Louisville, Ky., Yum! Brands and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of nearly 61,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill brands.
