Yum! Brands, the parent company of KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill, has published its annual Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report, revealing significant progress on sustainability commitments across its global restaurant network of nearly 61,000 locations in more than 155 countries.
The report highlights achievements across the company’s “Good” priorities of People, Food and Planet, which form the foundation of Yum!’s Recipe for Good Growth strategy. The sustainability progress demonstrates the company’s efforts to build what CEO David Gibbs describes as “a more resilient business that delivers good growth.”
The 2024 report documents several key environmental and sourcing milestones achieved across Yum!’s restaurant brands. The company has successfully sourced 94% cage-free eggs for menu items and ingredients across 25,000 restaurants, including operations in the United States, Western Europe and other leading markets. This achievement represents a significant advancement in animal welfare standards across the company’s global supply chain.
Yum! Brands has also achieved substantial emissions reductions, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 25% on an absolute basis for company-owned restaurants, corporate offices and transportation compared to 2019 baseline levels. This reduction demonstrates measurable progress toward the company’s climate commitments across its directly operated facilities.
The company has strengthened its supply chain food safety standards, with over 89% of Yum!-approved suppliers now holding Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) Recognized Certification or participating in GFSI Development Programs on the path to certification. This achievement enhances food safety protocols across the company’s extensive supplier network.
Yum! Brands: Innovation in sustainable packaging and operations
The report further details participation in innovative sustainability pilot programs, including the Petaluma Reusable Cup Project, which represents the first citywide program in the United States to offer reusable to-go cups at no cost to customers. This initiative explores alternatives to single-use packaging while maintaining operational efficiency for quick-service restaurants.
“We continue to make great headway across our value chain, beginning with the farms from which our food is sourced to running more efficient restaurants and unlocking opportunity in communities across the world,” said Jon Hixson, Yum! Brands Chief Sustainability Officer & Vice President, Government Affairs.
The company emphasizes that strong collaboration with franchisees, suppliers and community partners has been essential to integrating citizenship and sustainability initiatives across its business operations in 2024.
Beyond environmental initiatives, Yum! Brands has expanded its social impact through the Unlocking Opportunity Initiative, which since its 2020 launch has activated more than 45 projects across 15 countries, impacting over 350,000 people. This program focuses on creating economic opportunities in communities where the company operates.
“Using our scale, we’ve been able to develop a responsible supply chain, unlock opportunity for people and communities, and offer a modern menu with a variety of options for consumers around the globe,” Gibbs explained.
Global recognition and franchise leadership
The sustainability efforts have contributed to broader recognition for Yum! Brands across multiple categories. In 2024, the company was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America and 3BL’s list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens. The company also received recognition in 2025 among TIME magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders.
Yum!’s restaurant brands continue to maintain leadership positions in the franchise industry. KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut led Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises 2024 list and were ranked in the first 25 of Entrepreneur’s 2025 Franchise 500, with Taco Bell securing the number one spot in North America for the fifth consecutive year.
The company’s KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut brands are positioned as global leaders in the chicken, Mexican-inspired food and pizza categories, respectively, while Habit Burger & Grill operates as a fast casual concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers and sandwiches.
The complete 2024 Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report is available at www.yum.com/impact, providing detailed information about the company’s progress across its People, Food and Planet sustainability pillars.
