YUM vs KMB Comparison

Yum Brands is a US-based restaurant operator featuring a portfolio of four brands: KFC (31,981 global units at year-end 2024), Pizza Hut (20,225 units), Taco Bell (8,757 units), and Habit Burger & Grill (nearly 400 units). With more than $65 billion in 2024 systemwide sales, the firm is the second-largest restaurant company in the world behind McDonald's ($131 billion). Yum is 98% franchised, with the largest franchisee, Yum China, spun out in 2016, after which Yum China agreed to pay 3% royalties to Yum Brands in perpetuity. Yum is the newest evolution of Tricon, formerly a division of PepsiCo, and generates the bulk of its revenue from franchise royalties and marketing contributions.

With more than half of its sales from personal care and another third from consumer tissue products, Kimberly-Clark is a leading manufacturer in the tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, PullUps, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates in the professional segment, partnering with businesses to provide safety and sanitary offerings for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America. It intends to add Kenvue's consumer health portfolio to its mix in the second half of calendar year 2026.