Yum Brands Inc. has authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of the company’s common stock.

The repurchase will take place over a period of up to 12 months.

Yum has about 283 million shares outstanding.

Louisville-based Yum Brands (NYSE: YUM – News) operates about 34,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and territories.

News, Yum! Brands