Yum! Brands to suspend operations of company-owned KFC in Russia; all Pizza Hut restaurant

Yum! Brands is suspending operations of KFC company-owned restaurants in Russia and finalizing an agreement to suspend all Pizza Hut restaurant operations in Russia, in partnership with its master franchisee.

According to the Yum! Brands website, this action builds on their decision to suspend all investment and restaurant development in Russia and redirect all profits from operations in Russia to humanitarian efforts.

“Those humanitarian efforts include a $1 million donation from the Yum! Brands Foundation to the Red Cross to support those affected by the crisis, activating the Yum! Disaster Relief Fund to support Ukrainian franchise employees, and matching donations from employees to the following charities providing relief in Ukraine: UNICEF, Red Cross, World Food Programme and International Rescue Committee. In addition, our franchisees in the surrounding regions are providing food for refugees,” shared the release.

As always, Yum! Brands remain focused on the safety of their people in the region and will continue to support their teams in Ukraine while evaluating the ways Yum! Brands can make a positive impact in the region.

Yum Brands first opened KFC in Russia in 1995 and operate close to 1,000 restaurants.