Why Yum! Brands Focuses on Food, People, and Planet

Published: 2025-06-26 12:33:07 ET YUM

Published on 06/26/2025 at 12:33

Food, people, and planet-these are the three north stars that help Yum! Brands -a 2025 recipient of the Corporate Responsibility Awards-focus its sustainability efforts across water use, energy, packaging, and more. What lessons can other businesses learn from the sustainability success of this multinational company?

Join Steve Odland and guest Jon Hixson, chief sustainability officer at Yum! Brands, to find out why your sustainability strategy requires north stars, how the company wins buy-in from franchisees, and what advice he gives to up-and-coming sustainability leaders.

The 2025 Corporate Responsibility Awards, taking place on April 23, celebrates organizations that have moved beyond public commitments to fully integrate responsible business practices into their core strategies, driving measurable, positive impacts on their organizations, stakeholders, and society.

(01:54) Defining Sustainability in the Food Industry

(05:06) Key Trends in Corporate Sustainability

(06:46) Yum! Brands' Strategy: People, Food, and Planet

(10:49) Global Operations and Supply Chain Challenges

(18:50) Leveraging Technology for Sustainability

(21:49) Franchisee Engagement and Regulatory Challenges

(25:35) Future Priorities and Advice for Sustainability Leaders

For more from The Conference Board:

* 2025 Corporate Responsibility Summit

* 2025 Corporate Responsibility Awards Dinner

* Organizing for Success in Corporate Sustainability 2.0

Experts in this series

Join experts from The Conference Board as they share Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®

Steve Odland

President and CEO

The Conference Board

Read Bio (https://www.conference-board.org/bio/steve-odland)

Jon Hixson

Chief Sustainability Officer

Yum! Brands

C-Suite Perspectives

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