7 key innovations Yum! Brand is doing to stay ahead of the game
7 key innovations Yum! Brand is doing to stay ahead of the game

World’s largest operator of QSR brands KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell to name a few; Yum! Brand is continuously innovating itself.  From being one of the first player to take contactless delivery/dining route to playing with the menu by customizing it according to the local market and meanwhile expanding its technological reach. The brand has been pushing into all kinds of new technologies, including AI and QR-based innovations. It has also ventured into new markets by opening stores and also raising IPO at a time when the world is going through the biggest crisis. Here are top movements Yum! Brand is doing at top Markets:

Staying ahead with technological innovations: Yum! Brands Inc has recently announced acquisition of Dragontail Systems Limited (Dragontail), an innovative provider of technology solutions for the food industry, following the successful implementation of the previously announced share scheme of arrangement in accordance with Australian corporations law. The platform is focused on optimizing and managing the entire food preparation process from order through delivery. Its connected, intelligent, end-to-end AI-based solution automates the kitchen flow combined with the process of dispatching drivers which helps restaurant sequence and time each order, while planning optimal delivery routes and combining delivery orders by location. The technology also offers consumer-facing capabilities that enable customers to track their order en route. In addition, it can operate with outside food delivery partners.

Transition to 100% cage-free Eggs by 2026: Taco Bell, the company’s brand that serves breakfast in the U.S., moved to 100% cage-free eggs in 2016 in the U.S. In addition, Yum! Brands currently sources 100% cage-free eggs in other markets including KFC Western Europe, Pizza Hut U.K. and Taco Bell Canada. The brand recently announced an update to its policy on cage-free eggs, as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to improve animal welfare throughout its supply chain.

It pledges to transition to 100% cage-free eggs for the majority of restaurants by 2026, including the U.S., Western Europe and other leading markets, across all brands and for all menu items and ingredients.

 

This commitment accelerates its aspiration to move its global system to cage-free eggs and more than doubles the number of restaurants sourcing cage-free eggs by 2026.

Climate change is always at the top of discussion: Earlier, this April, the parent company of KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill restaurants, Yum Brands has announced that it will decrease its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 46% by 2030 in partnership with its franchisees, suppliers and producers as part of its broader strategy to address climate change. Additionally, Yum! pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The science-based targets (SBTs) are consistent with reductions required to keep warming to 1.5°C and have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. Yum!’s climate change strategy will focus primarily on emission reductions at its more than 50,000 corporate and franchise restaurants and throughout its supply chain.

Entering into the world of retail: Last month, KFC shared that it is experimenting with a pop-up hotel which is a themed hotel where customers can gorge upon is some finger licking deliciousness from KFC. KFC is opening House of Harland- a KFC themed staycation in partnership with hotels.com. The fried-chicken chain is offering fans the opportunity to book an exclusive one-night stay in the House of Harland. Located in London, each room is filled with delicious details, from a private cinema room, to a Finger Lickin’ ‘Press For Chicken’ button and Hot Winger Arcade Machine.

Women at the centre of workforce: KFC India has introduced a KFC Kshamata program-a focused effort towards driving 2X Empowerment by 2024. Taking forward the brand’s global diversity & inclusion agenda, KFC India aims to bridge the gender and ability imbalance gap and increase the women workforce at their restaurants by 2X by 2024. The brand also aims to double the footprint of special KFCs, operated by hearing & speech impaired team members, by 2024.

Venturing into a digital-first carryout Option in US: As customer preferences shifted during the early months of the pandemic, Pizza Hut adapted to offer a way for customers to place digital orders without ever having to leave their vehicles. The Hut Lane represents the next evolution of this breakthrough experience, offering safety, convenience and speed without customers ever having to park their cars. After becoming the first national pizza brand to offer Contactless Curbside Pickup, Pizza Hut is doubling down on safety and convenience and launching The Hut Lane™, a dedicated digital order pick-up window available at over 1,500 locations across US.

High on growth: Pizza Hut opens 500th store in India at Moga, Punjab by actor. The company also shared that it has ambitious expansion plans to considerably increase their footprint in India in the next five years. Pizza Hut has been on a steady growth trajectory and plans to enter several new cities by the end of 2021 to expand its presence in tier-2 and tier-3 cities alongside metros. On the business front, Pizza Hut has been focusing on a delivery-centric, digital-first approach in keeping with its R.E.D strategy to be Relevant, Easy and Distinctive.

The brand recently touched the highest delivery sales ever in India - this success was achieved on the back of a seamless digital ordering experience, industry best value deals and end-to-end contactless services which assured customers of maximum food safety and hygiene.

 
Stay on top – Get the daily news from Indian Retailer in your inbox
Also Worth Reading