During tough economic times, it’s especially important for potential franchisees to seek out concepts with a proven business model. With its portfolio of six brands and more than 35,000 restaurants worldwide, Yum! Brands believes it can offer just that.
“We have withstood the test of time,” says Scott Haner, director of franchise recruiting for the company. “Our business has been through the ups and downs, and we continue to deliver.”
Backed by more than 50 years of franchising experience, Louisville, Kentucky–based Yum! Brands is the largest restaurant company in the world by number of units. Its Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, KFC, Long John Silver’s, A&W, and WingStreet brands are present in more than 100 countries, with nearly 20,000 locations in the U.S. alone.
“Our brands have scale, and we use that scale to help our franchisees,” Haner says.
Yum! boasts the largest foodservice purchasing co-op in the industry, ensuring value and reliability throughout the supply chain. Dedicated marketing teams for each concept work to keep the brands vibrant and relevant.
“You want brands that have awareness and programs to drive people into your stores,” Haner says. “We’re creating news in the marketplace.”
“When people make an investment with us, we want to be the kind of brand they are proud to be associated with,” Haner says. Programs such as Pizza Hut’s BOOK IT! reading incentive campaign, KFC’s Colonel’s Scholars scholarship program, and Taco Bell’s Teen Supreme Program underscore the brands’ commitment to giving back to the communities that have helped them prosper. And last year, the company started World Hunger Awareness Week in a quest to become the Defining Global Company that Feeds the World. A commitment has been made to send $80 million to the United Nations World Food Programme over the next 5 years.
Franchise opportunities with Yum! Brands are currently available across the U.S., with Pizza Hut growing in the Northeast; A&W set to launch a new drive-in concept focused in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Oregon; WingStreet setting up on both coasts; and KFC and Taco Bell multi-brand units available throughout the rural parts of the country. There are frequently opportunities to buy existing stores as well, sometimes from the corporation and at times from existing franchisees.
To qualify as a franchisee, you and your partners must have prior restaurant or retail experience, a desire to be a multi-unit franchisee, and the financial wherewithal to make your dreams a reality—at least $1.5 million in net worth, with $750,000 in liquid assets. The brands are looking for prospects that will be a good fit in the Yum! system.
Taco Bell’s Teen Supreme Program underscores the brands’ commitment to giving back to the community.
“Our business is hands-on, and we need people who know what it takes to compete,” Haner says, adding that having someone in the organization with previous multi-unit restaurant experience is a must. Those who meet the criteria, Haner says, will find lenders willing to help them invest in Yum! Brands.
“We keep a list of organizations that would like to lend into our system, and we give you that list,” he says.
Franchisees can also count on solid business support, development expertise from the largest small-unit retail developer in the world, and a network of more than 1,200 fellow franchisees.
“We offer a very solid business opportunity for those looking to invest,” Haner says.
For more information about franchising opportunities with Yum! Brands, visit www.yumfranchises.com.