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In a pivotal leadership transition, Yum! Brands, Inc., the parent company of iconic restaurant chains KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger Grill, has announced that Chris Turner will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective October 1, 2025. Turner, currently serving as Chief Financial and Franchise Officer, will succeed David Gibbs, who is retiring after a distinguished 37-year career with the company.
Gibbs, who has led the company as CEO since 2020, will st ay on as an advisor through 2026 to ensure a seamless transition. Under his stewardship, Yum! Brands significantly accelerated its global expansion, tripled new unit growth, and surpassed $30 billion in digital sales—achievements that helped steer the company through the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chris Turner, 50, joined Yum! in 2019 as Chief Financial Officer and was elevated in 2024 to also oversee franchise strategy. A key driver behind the company’s digital initiatives—most notably the launch of Byte by Yum!, an AI-powered restaurant technology platform—Turner brings with him global experience from leadership roles at PepsiCo and McKinsey & Co.
“I’m honored to lead Yum! Brands into its next chapter,” said Turner. “With our iconic brands, talented teams and strong franchise network, I’m excited to build on our momentum and drive future growth.”
The leadership transition at the global level is mirrored by significant appointments within Yum!’s regional operations, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Pizza Hut India has announced the onboarding of Pranav Dahiya as Chief Financial & Strategy Officer and Nazia Abidi as Chief People & Culture Officer. These hires are aimed at accelerating growth across India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
Dahiya, a former CFO at Chaayos, brings nearly 20 years of financial and strategic planning experience, while Abidi, previously with CarDekho Group, brings deep HR leadership across high-growth consumer and fintech sectors. Together, they will focus on driving operational excellence and building a high-performance, people-first culture for the subcontinental division.
“These appointments reflect our long-term commitment to growth and leadership excellence in one of Yum!’s fastest-growing markets,” said Rohan Pewekar, Managing Director of Pizza Hut Indian Subcontinent. “With Pranav and Nazia on board, we’re poised to lead smarter and grow faster while staying true to our customer promise.”
As Yum! Brands prepares for a new era of leadership at both global and regional levels, the company reinforces its strategic priorities: digital transformation, sustainable franchising, and people-led growth. With nearly 61,000 restaurants in over 155 countries, the change of guard signals continuity—with a fresh push toward the future.
