Yum China Q2 revenue up 13%, operating profit rises 14%, plans $1.5B shareholder return in 2026

Yum China reported a 13% revenue increase and 14% growth in operating profit for Q2 2026, with diluted EPS up 21%. Same-store sales grew 1%, marking the ninth consecutive quarter of operating margin expansion. The company opened a record 560 net new stores and expects to complete the acquisition of the Pizza Hut brand in Mainland China by August 2026. Yum China plans to return $1.5 billion to shareholders in 2026, about 10% of its market capitalization, and aims to exceed 20,000 total stores by year-end.