Yum China Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

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Total Revenues grew 9%, or 15% in constant currency; System Sales grew 15% in constant currency; 
Operating Profit grew 2% to $323 million, or 9% in constant currency, Adjusted Operating Profit of $327 million reached a record;
Record year-to-date store openings of 1,155 net new adds, on track for full-year net new store target

SHANGHAI, Nov. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Yum China“) (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) today reported unaudited results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Third Quarter Highlights

Total revenues increased 9% year over year to $2.91 billion from $2.68 billion (a 15% increase in constant currency). Total system sales increased 15% year over year, with increases of 15% at KFC and 13% at Pizza Hut in constant currency. Growth was mainly attributable to new unit contribution, same-store sales and lapping of temporary closures in the prior year. Same-store sales increased 4% year over year, with increases of 4% at KFC and 2% at Pizza Hut in constant currency. Opened 500 net new stores during the quarter; total store count reached 14,102, as of September 30, 2023. Operating Profit increased 2% year over year to $323 million from $316 million (a 9% increase in constant currency), primarily driven by sales leveraging. Adjusted Operating Profit increased 3% year over year to $327 million from $318 million (a 10% increase in constant currency). Restaurant margin was 17.0%, compared with 18.8% in the prior year period, mainly due to lapping of austerity measures and temporary relief in the prior year. Effective tax rate was 27.5%. Net Income increased 18% to $244 million from $206 million in the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in Operating Profit and higher interest income. Adjusted Net Income increased 19% to $248 million from $208 million in the prior year period (a 27% increase in constant currency). Adjusted Net Income includes the net losses of $3 million and $12 million in the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, respectively, from the mark-to-market equity investment in Meituan. Excluding such losses, Adjusted Net Income increased 14% year over year (a 21% increase in constant currency). Diluted EPS increased 18% to $0.58 from $0.49 in the prior year period. Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 20% to $0.59 from $0.49 in the prior year period (a 29% increase in constant currency). Excluding the net losses from the mark-to-market equity investments in the third quarter of 2023 and 2022, as aforementioned, Adjusted Diluted EPS increased 15% year over year (a 21% increase in constant currency).

Key Financial Results

CEO and CFO Comments 

Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China, commented, “We delivered a record third quarter in total revenues, adjusted operating profit and net new store openings. System sales grew 15% and adjusted operating profit excluding temporary reliefs grew 21% in constant currency. For the first nine months of the year, operating profit and adjusted operating profit also set new records, reaching around $1 billion. Our robust supply chain, industry-leading digital ecosystem and strong innovation capabilities have enabled us to stay agile in evolving market conditions. We continued to enrich our core menu offerings and launch targeted, engaging campaigns to drive incremental traffic. Beef burger and whole chicken categories combined make up more than 6% of KFC’s sales mix, exceeding that of the Original Recipe Chicken. KFC’s collaboration with Honkai: Star Rail, a popular e-game, broadened our customer reach and grew our membership base. Furthermore, we are expanding our price range to appeal to a broader customer base, tapping into underserved consumers. At Pizza Hut, we continue to expand pizza selections priced below RMB 50, to capture this very significant segment of the overall pizza market. At KFC, our offers range from premium products such as Ultra Cheese 2.0 Beef Burger to RMB 19.9 3-item value combos to address diverse customer preferences.” 

“We accelerated new store openings in the quarter, adding 500 net new stores. With 1,155 net new stores in the first three quarters of this year, we are on track to meet our updated full-year target of 1,400 to 1,600. Importantly, our new store payback periods and unit economics remain healthy. At our Investor Day in September, we shared our views on the vast, untapped potential that China continues to offer, even with moderate economic growth. With our “RGM 2.0” strategy, we are focusing on growth while reinforcing resilience and widening our strategic moats. We have set a clear roadmap and growth targets for 2024 to 2026. These include 20,000 stores by 2026 and a return of $3 billion to shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases during the same three-year period. We are confident in our capabilities to capture growth opportunities,” Wat concluded.

Andy Yeung, CFO of Yum China, added, “In the third quarter, we achieved robust results despite macroeconomic headwinds. Same-store sales growth was solid on a year-over-year basis, and maintained at approximately 90% of the 2019 level in the quarter. But we observed softening consumer demand emerged in late September through October. Looking ahead, the fourth quarter is a seasonally small quarter in terms of sales and profits; hence small fluctuations in sales could have a more pronounced impact on our margins. It is important to highlight that during the fourth quarter last year, we received temporary relief of $26 million, which is not expected to repeat this year. Last year, we also experienced staffing shortages due to widespread COVID infections. This year, we are returning to more normalized operations and staffing levels at our restaurants. The post-pandemic economic recovery is shaping up to be a “wave-like” and “non-linear” process. So, we will continue to stay agile and take actions to drive sales and cost-efficiency in these evolving market conditions. However, the overall trend towards recovery is evident this year, and many of our performance metrics are setting new records.  We remain excited about the significant opportunities China presents and confident in delivering sustainable growth and long-term value to our shareholders. We are proud to report that we returned $211 million to shareholders in the third quarter, through cash dividends and share repurchases, and are on track to return $600 to 800 million for the full year.”

Share Repurchases and Dividends

During the third quarter, the Company repurchased approximately 2.9 million shares of Yum China common stock for $157 million at an average price of $54.91 per share. As of September 30, 2023, approximately $870 million remained available for future share repurchases under the current authorization. The Board declared a cash dividend of $0.13 per share on Yum China’s common stock, payable on December 19, 2023 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on November 28, 2023.

Digital and Delivery

KFC and Pizza Hut loyalty programs exceeded 460 million members combined, as of quarter-end. Member sales accounted for approximately 65% of system sales in the third quarter of 2023. Delivery contributed approximately 35% of KFC and Pizza Hut’s Company sales in the third quarter of 2023, a decrease of 3% compared with the prior year period. Digital orders, including delivery, mobile orders and kiosk orders, accounted for approximately 89% of KFC and Pizza Hut’s Company sales in the third quarter of 2023.

New-Unit Development and Asset Upgrade

The Company opened 500 net new stores in the third quarter of 2023, mainly driven by development of the KFC and Pizza Hut brands. The Company remodeled 194 stores in the third quarter of 2023.

Restaurant Margin

Restaurant margin was 17.0% in the third quarter of 2023 compared with 18.8% in the prior year period, driven primarily by lapping of the austerity measures and temporary relief in the prior year, higher promotion costs and wage inflation, partially offset by sales leveraging and favorable commodity prices.

2023 Outlook

The Company’s fiscal year 2023 targets were updated at Investor Day on September 14, 2023:

To open approximately 1,400 to 1,600 net new stores, an increase of 300 stores from the previous target. To make capital expenditures in the range of approximately $700 million to $900 million, unchanged from the previous target.

Company Updates

On September 14, 2023, the Company announced the following financial and operating targets at its Investor Day. To reach total count of 20,000 stores by 2026. To achieve high-single-to-double-digit CAGR for system sales and operating profit, and double-digit EPS CAGR from 2024 to 2026, compared to base year 2023 and in constant currency. To return approximately $3 billion to shareholders through quarterly dividends and share repurchases from 2024 to 2026. On September 27, 2023, the Company was named to Fortune’s 2023 Change the World list, an annual list that recognizes a select group of companies that have had a positive social impact through activities that are part of their core business strategy. Yum China was one of 59 companies worldwide – and the only restaurant company – selected for the recognition.

Note on Non-GAAP Measures

Reported GAAP results include Special Items, which are excluded from non-GAAP adjusted measures. Special Items are not allocated to any segment and therefore only impact reported GAAP results of Yum China. See “Reconciliation of Reported GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Adjusted Measures” within this release. In addition, for the non-GAAP measures of Restaurant profit and Restaurant margin, see “Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit” under “Segment Results” within this release.

Other Information

In this release, the Company has also disclosed the change in adjusted operating profit excluding temporary relief. This temporary relief was provided by landlords and government agencies, and consisted of $1 million in the third quarter of 2023 and $30 million in the third quarter of 2022. The temporary relief received primarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and is not expected to recur. The Company believes this information is useful to investors because it facilitates greater comparability between periods.

Conference Call

Yum China’s management will hold an earnings conference call at 8:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (8:00 a.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, November 1, 2023).  

A live webcast of the call may be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/bpvn2yvj.

To join by phone, please register in advance of the conference through the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers, a passcode and a unique access PIN.

Pre-registration link: https://s1.c-conf.com/diamondpass/10033304-ahyd6f.html

A replay of the conference call will be available one hour after the call ends until Wednesday, November 8, 2023 and may be accessed by phone using the following numbers:

Additionally, this earnings release, the accompanying slides, as well as the live and archived webcast of this conference call will be available at Yum China’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.yumchina.com. 

For important news and information regarding Yum China, including our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, visit Yum China’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.yumchina.com. Yum China uses this website as a primary channel for disclosing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including under “2023 Outlook.” We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as “expect,” “expectation,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “may,” “could,” “intend,” “belief,” “plan,” “estimate,” “target,” “predict,” “project,” “likely,” “will,” “continue,” “should,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “commit” or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the future strategies, growth, business plans, investment, dividend and share repurchase plans, earnings, performance and returns of Yum China, anticipated effects of population and macroeconomic trends, pace of recovery of Yum China’s business, the anticipated effects of our innovation, digital and delivery capabilities and investments on growth and beliefs regarding the long-term drivers of Yum China’s business. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: whether we are able to achieve development goals at the times and in the amounts currently anticipated, if at all, the success of our marketing campaigns and product innovation, our ability to maintain food safety and quality control systems, changes in public health conditions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to control costs and expenses, including tax costs, as well as changes in political, economic and regulatory conditions in China. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 14,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,900 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com. 

Percentages may not recompute due to rounding. NM refers to not meaningful.

Percentages may not recompute due to rounding.

Percentages may not recompute due to rounding. NM refers to not meaningful.

In this press release:

The Company provides certain percentage changes excluding the impact of foreign currency translation (“F/X”). These amounts are derived by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. We believe the elimination of the F/X impact provides better year-to-year comparability without the distortion of foreign currency fluctuations. System sales growth reflects the results of all restaurants regardless of ownership, including Company-owned and franchise restaurants that operate our restaurant concepts, except for non-Company-owned restaurants for which we do not receive a sales-based royalty. Sales of franchise restaurants typically generate ongoing franchise fees for the Company at an average rate of approximately 6% of system sales. Franchise restaurant sales are not included in Company sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income; however, the franchise fees are included in the Company’s revenues. We believe system sales growth is useful to investors as a significant indicator of the overall strength of our business as it incorporates all of our revenue drivers, Company and franchise same-store sales as well as net unit growth. Effective January 1, 2018, the Company revised its definition of same-store sales growth to represent the estimated percentage change in sales of food of all restaurants in the Company system that have been open prior to the first day of our prior fiscal year, excluding the period during which stores are temporarily closed. We refer to these as our “base” stores. Previously, same-store sales growth represented the estimated percentage change in sales of all restaurants in the Company system that have been open for one year or more, including stores temporarily closed, and the base stores changed on a rolling basis from month to month. This revision was made to align with how management measures performance internally and focuses on trends of a more stable base of stores. Company sales represent revenues from Company-owned restaurants. Company Restaurant profit (“Restaurant profit”) is defined as Company sales less expenses incurred directly by our Company-owned restaurants in generating Company sales, including cost of food and paper, restaurant-level payroll and employee benefits, rent, depreciation and amortization of restaurant-level assets, advertising expenses, and other operating expenses. Company restaurant margin percentage is defined as Restaurant profit divided by Company sales. Certain comparative items in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation to facilitate comparison

Reconciliation of Reported GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Adjusted Measures
(in millions, except per share data)
(unaudited)

In addition to the results provided in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in this press release, the Company provides non-GAAP measures adjusted for Special Items, which include Adjusted Operating Profit, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings Per Common Share (“EPS”), Adjusted Effective Tax Rate and Adjusted EBITDA, which we define as net income including noncontrolling interests adjusted for equity in net earnings (losses) from equity method investments, income tax, interest income, net, investment gain or loss, certain non-cash expenses, consisting of depreciation and amortization as well as store impairment charges, and Special Items. We also use Restaurant profit and Restaurant margin (as defined above) for the purposes of internally evaluating the performance of our Company-owned restaurants and we believe Restaurant profit and Restaurant margin provide useful information to investors as to the profitability of our Company-owned restaurants.

The following table set forth the reconciliation of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to the non-GAAP adjusted financial measures. The reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit is presented in Segment Results within this release.

Net income, along with the reconciliation to Adjusted EBITDA, is presented below:

Details of Special Items are presented below:

(1)  In February 2020, the Company granted Partner PSU Awards to select employees who were deemed critical to the Company’s execution of its strategic operating plan. These PSU awards will only vest if threshold performance goals are achieved over a four-year performance period, with the payout ranging from 0% to 200% of the target number of shares subject to the PSU awards. Partner PSU Awards were granted to address increased competition for executive talent, motivate transformational performance and encourage management retention. Given the unique nature of these grants, the Compensation Committee does not intend to grant similar, special grants to the same employees during the performance period. The impact from these special awards is excluded from metrics that management uses to assess the Company’s performance.

(2)  The tax expense was determined based upon the nature, as well as the jurisdiction, of each Special Item at the applicable tax rate.

The Company excludes impact from Special Items for the purpose of evaluating performance internally. Special Items are not included in any of our segment results. In addition, the Company provides Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that investors and analysts may find it useful in measuring operating performance without regard to items such as equity in net earnings (losses) from equity method investments, income tax, interest income, net, investment gain or loss, depreciation and amortization, store impairment charges, and Special Items. Store impairment charges included as an adjustment item in Adjusted EBITDA primarily resulted from our semi-annual impairment evaluation of long-lived assets of individual restaurants, and additional impairment evaluation whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. If these restaurant-level assets were not impaired, depreciation of the assets would have been recorded and included in EBITDA. Therefore, store impairment charges were a non-cash item similar to depreciation and amortization of our long-lived assets of restaurants. The Company believes that investors and analyst may find it useful in measuring operating performance without regard to such non-cash item.

These adjusted measures are not intended to replace the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP.  Rather, the Company believes that the presentation of these adjusted measures provides additional information to investors to facilitate the comparison of past and present results, excluding those items that the Company does not believe are indicative of our ongoing operations due to their nature. 

                                                  Unit Count by Brand

KFC

Pizza Hut

Others

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit

Reconciliation of GAAP Operating Profit to Restaurant Profit

The above tables reconcile segment information, which is based on management responsibility, with our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. 

(1)  Amounts have not been allocated to any segment for purpose of making operating decision or assessing financial performance as the transactions are deemed corporate revenues and expenses in nature.

(2)  Primarily includes revenues and associated expenses of transactions with franchisees derived from the Company’s central procurement model whereby the Company centrally purchases substantially all food and paper products from suppliers and then sells and delivers to KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants, including franchisees.