Yum China Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results
Key Highlights
- ➤Revenue $3.5B, up 8% YoY, while operating profit rose 13% to $451M
- ➤Diluted EPS increased 20% YoY to $0.91, or 12% excluding F/X
- ➤692 net new stores opened, lifting total count to 19,989
- ➤2026 store-opening target raised to over 2,400 net new stores
- ➤Yum China targets $1.5B in 2026 shareholder returns, including buybacks and dividends
Expert Statements
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“We delivered year-over-year growth in system sales, operating profit and OP margin for the 10th consecutive quarter, despite a dynamic operating environment.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Importantly, our diluted EPS has grown by double digits year-to-date and in each of the past three years, excluding the impact of mark-to-market equity investments and foreign exchange.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“These results demonstrate the resilience of our business model, disciplined execution, and our commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Same-store sales faced pressure from tough comparisons against last year's delivery platform subsidies and adverse weather in August.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“We captured incremental demand across a broader range of consumption occasions such as smaller orders and solo dining, and grew same-store transactions for the 15th consecutive quarter.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“To pursue significant opportunities in China, we accelerated store openings across Company-owned and franchise stores, leveraging our tailored store formats and menus and keeping us on track to surpass 20,500 stores this year.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“We continue to build our brand and attract more customers to our stores through compelling in-store-only offers and experience, and greater takeaway convenience.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Dine-in and takeaway performance improved sequentially, bucking the previous trend.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Meanwhile, our side-by-side modules, which target new occasions and drive incremental sales and profit, maintained strong momentum and hit key milestones.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Together, these growth drivers reinforce our confidence in sustainable growth.”
Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China
“Looking ahead, on a three-year basis, we remain committed to the growth algorithm we outlined at our Investor Day.”
Grew Revenue 8%, Operating Profit 13% and Diluted EPS 20% 15th Consecutive Quarter of Same-Store Transaction Growth; Year-over-Year Expansion in Both Restaurant and OP Margins Achieved Record Net New Store Openings in the First Nine Months, Raising 2026 Full-Year Target to Over 2,400 On Track to Return $1.5 Billion to Shareholders in 2026, ~10% of Current Market Capitalization
SHANGHAI, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Yum China") (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) today reported unaudited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026.
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