Our Unlocking Opportunity Initiative
Announced in 2020, the Unlocking Opportunity Initiative (UOI) builds on 25 years of investing in a people-first culture. Many communities where Yum! operates face inequality, and the company aims to be part of the solution. Yum! is investing $100 million over five years to remove barriers to equity and inclusion, education and entrepreneurship for all around the world.
Culture, Opportunity & Belonging
Culture, Opportunity & Belonging is ingrained into our culture at Yum!. Through UOI, we support our existing efforts to produce culture, opportunity and belonging inside our company, across all aspects of our brands, throughout our franchise businesses and in communities in which we serve.
Education
Thousands of people have their first job at KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell or Habit Burger & Grill, gaining work experience as well as life skills that can be applied throughout their careers. Many of these individuals go on to manage restaurants, and some even become franchisees who own multiple restaurants in our family of brands. Employees at our corporate Restaurant Support Centers also benefit from a range of opportunities to develop professionally. Given our global reach and scale, a career at Yum!, allows people to work across brands, functions and geographies, exploring many interests and passions.
Entrepreneurship
At Yum!, entrepreneurship is woven into our DNA – each of our brands was started by entrepreneurs and that spirit continues within our restaurants and franchisee partners. We’re creating pathways to entrepreneurship for restaurant employees wanting to lead a business, franchise or social enterprise, as well as for small businesses and social entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful difference in their communities.
How Yum! and Its Brands Serve Up Good Around the Globe
While unlocking opportunity is our global call-to-action, each of our brands has their own authentic social purpose that resonates with their business purpose and stakeholders and allows local activation in communities all over the world. We are energized by the work already underway and the prospect of what the future may hold.
Community Impact Programs in Action
Unlocking Opportunities in Franchising
In partnership with University of Louisville, the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence provides existing and potential franchisees multiple levels of online education focused on the franchising model across industries. The Center’s mission is to unlock entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for underrepresented populations, by providing industry-leading instruction that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in franchising.
Career Help for Young People
Hatch is an employability skills program from UK Youth and KFC, supporting young people who are experiencing barriers to employment. The program aims to tackle the continued rise of youth unemployment in the UK, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing participants with pre-employability training and work experience.
Tackling Female Youth Unemployment
In South Africa, Pizza Hut is tackling youth unemployment through its LeadHERship program. Unemployment among the country’s youth is more than 50%, and the brand is committed to doing its part to drive change. In particular, the program will focus on young women, ages 18 to 24, as they make up more than 70% of the unemployed youth. Pizza Hut South Africa believes that this program will start to shift the way youth show up in the workplace. Pizza Hut, in partnership with Yes4Youth, will connect talented and engaged work seekers with nonprofit organizations around the country to identify and drive internship opportunities. Participants will go through a 12-month work experience to gain required skills and support better career opportunities.
Driving Economic Growth through Entrepreneurship
In Louisville, Kentucky, UOI is partnering with the Russell Tech Business Incubator (RTBI), which aims to increase business creation to drive economic growth, mobility and independence for budding entrepreneurs. Participants will have access to services and resources to help them get started, succeed and grow. This includes everything from marketing and finance services to sales and technical advice as well as business coaches for expertise and support. The incubator is under the umbrella of AMPED, Adventurous Minds Produce Extraordinary Dreams, focused on full-service family support to empower youth and their families.
