Yum Brands, the global leader in the restaurant industry, has announced that its CEO, David Gibbs, intends to step down from his role in the first quarter of 2026. At 62, Gibbs has dedicated 36 years to the company, which is based in Louisville, Kentucky. Yum Brands is renowned for owning popular names like Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill, boasting a network of 61,000 restaurants spread across more than 155 countries.
During the transition period, Gibbs will maintain his leadership position as Yum Brands initiates the search for his successor. Assuming the CEO role in January 2020, Gibbs steered the company through the challenges presented by the pandemic and its aftermath, placing emphasis on the establishment of new stores. The company marked a significant milestone in 2024 with the opening of 4,535 new locations spanning over 100 countries, a considerable increase from the 2,040 new stores in 2019.
Gibbs also played a pivotal role in modernizing the technology within Yum’s outlets. Recently, Yum Brands entered into an unprecedented agreement with Nvidia, a leader in artificial intelligence and computing. This collaboration aims to enhance Yum’s operations through automated ordering systems for drive-thrus and call centers and improved operational strategies in their restaurants.
The board of directors at Yum Brands has praised Gibbs for his “transformative impact” on the organization. Before assuming the role of CEO, Gibbs held key positions within the company, including leading the Pizza Hut division from 2015 to 2016 and serving as both chief financial officer and chief operating officer.