YUM vs EL Comparison

As of the end of 2024, Yum Brands generated over $65 billion in systemwide sales from more than 61,000 restaurants across 155 markets, making it the world's second-largest restaurant firm by dollar sales. Its portfolio includes KFC (31,981 stores), Pizza Hut (20,225), Taco Bell (8,757), and Habit Burger (383), with 70% of locations in international markets. As 98% of its portfolio is franchised, Yum's business model is tilted toward recurring franchise royalties and marketing contributions (66% of revenue), with the balance derived from sales at company-owned locations. The company traces its roots to a 1997 spinoff of PepsiCo's restaurant assets.

Estée Lauder is a leader in the global prestige beauty market, participating across skin care (49% of fiscal 2025 sales), makeup (29%), fragrance (17%), and hair care and others (5%), with top-selling brands such as Estée Lauder, Clinique, M.A.C, La Mer, Jo Malone London, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, and Origins. The firm operates in more than 150 countries, generating 31% of revenue from the Americas, 37% from Europe, the Middle East and Africa (including travel retail), and 32% from Asia-Pacific. Estée Lauder sells its products through department stores, travel retail, specialty multibrand beauty stores, brand-dedicated freestanding stores, e-commerce, salons/spas, and perfumeries.