Chris Turner named new CEO of Louisville-based Yum Brands
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- Yum Brands has appointed Chris Turner as its new CEO, succeeding David Gibbs.
- Turner, currently the chief financial and franchise officer, will assume the role on Oct. 1.
- Gibbs, who announced his retirement earlier this year, will serve as an advisor until the end of 2026.
Yum Brands, the fast-food mega corporation based in Louisville, has named a new CEO.
On June 13, the Yum Brand Board of Directors unanimously elected Chris Turner to be CEO. Turner will start Oct.1, with former CEO Gibbs serving as an advisor until the end of 2026, according to a press release.
This announcement comes three months after David Gibbs shared his intention to retire in the first quarter of 2026.
“I’m deeply honored to step into the role of CEO at Yum Brands and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this global company with such iconic brands,” Turner in a press release. “I’m excited to build on all that we’ve accomplished together alongside our talented teams and in partnership with our franchisees around the world, as we innovate, grow our brands and continue delivering exceptional experiences for our consumers.”
Turner, 50, currently is the company’s chief financial and franchise officer, a role he has been in since 2019 and absorbed more responsibilities around franchises and supply chain in 2024. He has been a strong force, pushing the company into the digital age, helping the portfolio of restaurant brands to expand and accelerate the use of AI-driven restaurant technology, creating new restaurant concepts and more.
Yum Brands is home to KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill. In February, the company announced its Kentucky-headquartered KFC division of the company would be departing the commonwealth in favor of Plano, Texas — a decision that will cost parent company Yum Brands an estimated $7 million.
Most recently, while Yum Brands has reiterated a commitment to stay in Louisville, the company has started to search for a new headquarters office in the metro. The company is scouting properties in Louisville’s downtown as well as its East End in addition to considering a renovation of its current headquarters.
“No firm decisions have been made; this is an ongoing process,” a Yum Brands spokesperson said in a statement May 23. “We look forward to continuing to be a part of the Louisville community.”
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at [email protected] or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_.
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