AFRM vs YUMC Comparison

Founded in 2012, Affirm is a market leader in the buy-now, pay-later space with around $36 billion in transaction volume in fiscal 2025. Affirm offers both zero-interest financing, which is merchant subsidized, and interest-bearing loans, which function as personal loans that are approved on a per-transaction basis. Over 70% of Affirm's transaction volume comes from its interest-bearing loans, which also comprise the majority of its revenue. Affirm primarily operates in the United States, which accounted for more than 95% of its revenue in 2025, but the firm has also expanded to Canada and the United Kingdom.

Yum China is the largest restaurant operator in China, with over 18,000 locations and USD 12 billion in systemwide sales as of 2025. It generates revenue primarily from its own restaurants and franchise fees. While KFC and Pizza Hut are its flagship brands, Yum China's portfolio also includes Little Sheep, Taco Bell, Huang Ji Huang, and Lavazza. As a trademark licensee of Yum Brands, Yum China pays 3% of KFC and Pizza Hut's systemwide sales to its former parent, from which it spun off in 2016. However, even before the separation, Yum China was granted substantial autonomy, giving its Chinese leadership decision-making authority over menu, supply chain, and marketing—an unusual practice for Western chains at the time.