Yum China accelerates store expansion after strong earnings

Yum China Holdings, the operator of KFC and Pizza Hut in China, plans to speed up store openings this year after reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. The company aims to add 1,900 new outlets in 2026, reaching a total of 20,000 stores, with a focus on second-tier cities and franchise models. This expansion strategy comes as the company reported a 33% increase in adjusted earnings per share and an 8.8% rise in quarterly revenue.