David Gibbs

David Gibbs is an executive who has reshaped some of the world’s most recognizable brands while simultaneously redefining how scale, technology, and culture intersect to drive growth. As CEO of Yum! Brands, he led the global powerhouse behind Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and The Habit Burger Grill through a period of accelerated expansion and digital reinvention. With more than three decades inside the organization, Gibbs brings in-depth institutional insight paired with a forward-looking perspective on innovation and performance.

During his tenure as CEO, Gibbs architected Yum! Brands’ transformation into one of the restaurant industry’s top-performing growth companies. He led the development of a comprehensive digital ecosystem, including strategic technology acquisitions. He launched Byte by Yum!, a platform that streamlined operations and accelerated AI adoption across tens of thousands of locations. Under his leadership, digital sales nearly tripled, surpassing $30 billion and accounting for more than half of total revenue. At the same time, Yum! dramatically increased its development pace, opening a new restaurant every other hour and surpassing 60,000 global locations. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Gibbs offers audiences a behind-the-scenes look at how large-scale transformation is executed with precision. His sessions unpack the strategic decisions and leadership frameworks that fuel sustained growth.

Gibbs’ leadership was tested and proven during one of the most volatile periods in modern business history. He successfully guided Yum! Brands through the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining momentum in development, digital adoption, and franchisee performance. Central to this success was his emphasis on culture and talent, with Yum! repeatedly recognized by Time as one of the “Best Companies for Future Leaders.” Prior to becoming CEO, Gibbs served in multiple senior roles including President and Chief Operating Officer, where he oversaw global operations for KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. He also played a pivotal role as Chief Financial Officer in transforming the company into a capital-light, franchise-driven model and led the spinoff of Yum China.

Gibbs currently serves on the Board of Directors of Under Armour and has been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of PepsiCo. He is a graduate of Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Johns Hopkins University.

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