Yum China Appoints New Director Amid Expansion Plans

Yum China Holdings, a Chinese food powerhouse, has appointed Zhe (David) Wei to its Board of Directors, increasing the Board to 13 directors. This appointment comes as the company plans to expand through 1,600 to 1,800 net new store openings in 2025. The company aims to deliver $3 billion to shareholders between 2025 and 2026 and strategically increase the mix at a guided range.

Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC, HKEX: 9987) has expanded its Board of Directors by appointing Zhe (David) Wei, effective August 6, 2025. This appointment, which brings the board size to 13 directors with 11 independent members, coincides with the company's strategic plans for growth and shareholder value.

Mr. Wei, a founding partner and chairman of Vision Knight Capital, brings extensive leadership in global consumer sectors and digital e-commerce. He previously served as an executive director and CEO of Alibaba.com Limited, a leading global e-commerce company. His appointment is expected to bolster Yum China's strategic focus on operational efficiency, innovation, and long-term shareholder value [1].

The company plans to return $3 billion to shareholders between 2025 and 2026, in addition to the $1.5 billion delivered in 2024. Yum China also targets approximately 1,600 to 1,800 net new stores in 2025, with capital expenditures ranging from $600 million to $700 million for the 2025 fiscal year [2].

In the second quarter of 2025, Yum China reported adjusted earnings per share of 58 cents, beating analyst estimates of 57 cents. The company's digital and delivery growth drove a 22% year-over-year increase in delivery sales, accounting for approximately 45% of total sales. Digital sales reached $2.4 billion, with digital ordering comprising roughly 94% of total sales. The company's restaurant margin expanded to 16.1%, up 60 basis points year-over-year, driven by savings in food and paper costs and G&A savings [2].

Yum China's strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable it to reach customers faster and serve them better. The company's mission to make every life taste beautiful is evident in its diverse portfolio, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Little Sheep, Huang Ji Huang, and Taco Bell, all of which are part of a world-class, digitalized supply chain [1].

References:
[1] https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yum-china-board-welcomes-new-board-member-302520698.html
[2] https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/08/46860965/yum-china-q2-margins-alibaba-veteran-david-wei-joins-board