LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Yum! Brands, Inc. has outlined its next steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support its employees, the company is enhancing the benefits available to them. These include launching a global medical-relief fund to provide financial support for restaurant employees at company- and franchise-owned stores who are diagnosed with or are caring for someone diagnosed with COVID-19. In the U.S., Yum! Brands will pay employees of company-owned KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill (acquired earlier this month) restaurants who are required to stay at home or work at a restaurant that’s closed for their scheduled or regularly scheduled hours during their time away from work. The company is also actively working with its franchise partners to encourage a similar approach.
To support franchise owners, the company has set up a Global Franchise Health and COVID-19 Support Team to help them navigate business continuity. In the U.S and internationally, Yum! is also working with franchisees who need access to more capital and are in good standing to provide assistance, including grace periods for certain near-term payments where necessary. In the U.S., the company is also allowing franchisees to defer all 2020 capital obligations for remodels and new-unit development through the end of the year.
Yum!’s brands have also strengthened hygiene, cleaning and sanitation procedures and have shifted to low-contact options for customers around the world through delivery, drive-thru or curbside pick-up, where available. Pizza Hut is also offering contactless delivery in the U.S. and 48 countries internationally, allowing customers to request online or through Pizza Hut’s mobile app to have their pizza left at the door upon delivery. In the U.S., KFC and Taco Bell also offer contactless delivery through Grubhub.
“Working together, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 while offering convenient, affordable food in a low-contact environment,” says David Gibbs, CEO Yum! Brands. “But our employees — like millions of others — are worried and our franchisees are under stress. We need to support them so they can be there for our customers. As the situation changes rapidly, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill will keep finding ways to help.”
To support the wider global community, including frontline workers, families and communities impacted by COVID-19, Yum! is providing financial support to more than 20 food banks through the Yum! Foundation.
