US-based quick service restaurant company Yum! Brands has unveiled Byte by Yum!, a collection of software-as-a-service (SaaS) AI-driven products designed to enhance operations.
The offering will be adopted by Yum!’s global restaurant brands: KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill.
The new technology platform simplifies essential systems into an easily manageable solution while accelerating the adoption of AI within the company.
Byte by Yum! consolidates operations such as online and mobile app ordering, point of sale, kitchen and delivery streamlining, menu management, management of inventory and labour, and team member resources.
Joe Park, Yum!’s chief digital and technology officer, will assume the role of president of Byte by Yum! while continuing to fulfil his current responsibilities.
Park said: “As the world’s largest restaurant company, Yum!’s scale allows us to make massive strides in growing our proprietary digital and AI-driven platform in partnership with franchisees.
“We are thrilled to take this important next step to simplify and further integrate our industry-leading restaurant technologies under Byte by Yum! Moving forward, we are focused on enhancing Byte by Yum! and the capabilities this streamlined approach unlocks for team members, franchisees and customers.”
With the introduction of Byte by Yum!, the company will phase out the names and branding for technology products such as Poseidon, Yum! Commerce Platform, Tracks and SuperApp.
The company's brands and franchisees have reported benefits from using Byte by Yum!: increased digital transactions, improved pricing and promotional flexibility, and enhanced order accuracy and delivery experiences.
Yum! Brands posted net income of $423m for the fourth quarter (Q4) of fiscal 2024, ended 31 December. This reflects a 9% decline from $463m during the same period of 2023.
For the quarter, GAAP [generally accepted accounting principles]-based diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $1.49, down 8% from $1.62 in Q4 2023.
Yum! Brands reported an 8% increase in worldwide system sales excluding foreign currency translation, with KFC reporting a 6% increase, Taco Bell 14% and Pizza Hut 3%.
The company also saw significant expansion with the opening of 1,804 new units, leading to a 5% unit growth year-on-year.
In January 2025, Yum! Brands announced the promotion of Scott Mezvinsky to the role of CEO of its KFC division, effective from 1 March.
