Taco Bell launches ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences platform in ‘standout’ UK market, Pizza Hut to shut 250 ‘underperforming’ US restaurants as part of strategic review: Taco Bell has launched The Live Más Club in the UK – an exclusive “money-can’t-buy” experiences platform that goes beyond traditional food rewards. While members get priority on new menu items and limited-edition food collaborations with emerging chefs, the club also offers VIP meet-and-greets with bands and music artists and soundcheck access. Speaking to analysts following Yum! Brands’ fourth quarter update, chief executive Chris Turner said The Live Más Club “lays the foundation for deeper loyalty and e-commerce integration”. He added: “Taco Bell’s international division achieved 5% like-for-like sales growth in 2025, with standout performance in Canada, the UK, and Spain. We achieved more than 15% system sales growth in Europe where we launched The Live Más Club in the UK. The team is committed to strengthening its position as a distinctive and culturally relevant brand reinforcing its food leadership by scaling craveable platforms and test future menu icons across key markets leaning into value as a core traffic and relevance driver, and building digital engagement through locally relevant platforms and partnerships.” In November, Yum! Brands announced a strategic review of Pizza Hut. During the earnings call, chief financial officer Ranjith Roy revealed as part of the process, 250 “underperforming” stores in the US will close in the first half of 2026 – about 3% of its total estate in the country. Turner added: “The process is proceeding as planned and as of now, we intend to complete the review of options this year. We are pleased with the Pizza Hut team’s dedication through this process, including their work with franchise partners to strengthen near-term results. Given the ongoing nature of the process, at this time, we cannot share further details on the strategic review.” Turner also had special praise for KFC’s performance in the UK where system sales increased 6.8% for the year and 7.4% in the fourth quarter, with in-restaurant sales increasing 9%. He said as part of the rollout of Byte by Yum – the company’s artificial intelligence-powered platform to house all its technology solutions – its “smart ops” system will be introduced across KFC UK’s estate this year. The “smart ops” bundle includes point of sale, menu, and kitchen management. Turner said: “Within the smart ops bundle, we’ve had restaurants see up to a 10% increase in consumer satisfaction and up to an 85% reduction in items out of stock. Such improvements directly support sales conversion, consumer trust, and restaurant efficiency.”

 

C&C Group hires new CFO: C&C Group has hired Adam Phillips as its new chief financial officer. Phillips joins from flooring company Headlam, where he has served as chief financial officer since March 2023. Prior to this, he was group financial controller at Mobico Group (previously National Express), a FTSE 250 multinational transport provider, from 2019 to 2023. His earlier experience includes several senior financial roles at Halfords Group, including group strategy and investor relations director, where he spent six years, as well as a period at Molson Coors Brewing Company. Phillips qualified as a chartered accountant in 2005. Roger White, C&C Group chief executive, said: “Adam has a highly relevant skill set and will further build the capabilities of the leadership team. I have every confidence that Adam will make an immediate impact as well as an important long-term contribution to the business.” Phillips will join in April and succeeds Andrew Andrea who will step down on 13 March ahead of joining Domino’s Pizza Group.