Yum Brands Inc. has named its former chief transformation and people officer, Tracy Skeans, to COO, according to a news release. She served in the previous role for five years, and the company said the promotion formalizes the expanded role she was already playing to drive cross-brand collaboration on operational execution, people capability and customer experience imperatives to fuel sales and unit growth.

In fact, Skeans will retain her current chief people officer responsibilities along with the responsibilities of the chief operating officer's job.

"Tracy and I share a people-first vision and passion for elevating the customer and employee experience, which makes her the perfect choice for chief operating officer in our next phase of growth," CEO David Gibbs, said in the release. "Tracy has been an invaluable strategic partner to me and our global leadership team as we have navigated through some of the most pivotal milestones in our history, including our transformation to a pure play franchisor in 2019 and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic."

Skeans joined the company in 2000, and has expertise driving results at the powerful intersection of talent, culture, finance and strategy, the company said. Under her leadership as chief transformation and people officer, in 2020 Yum integrated The Habit Burger Grill and the leadership development program, Heartstyles. She also championed Yum's Unlocking Opportunity Initiative.

In 2016, Skeans played a central leadership role in the Yum China spinoff and Yum Brands' multi-year transformation strategy to accelerate the company's growth by moving to a heavily franchised business model that the company said is more profitable. That process was complete in 2019.

"Yum's future growth and social impact rely on our ability to collaborate and execute strategies and ideas at scale across our iconic brands and global franchisee base," Skeans said in the release. "I'm excited to take on this expanded role partnering with David (Gibbs) and our global leadership team, as we continue to invest in our people and customer experience, alongside critical areas that will drive future growth and improve franchise unit economics – including technology, innovation and restaurant development."

Yum Brands Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 50,000 restaurants in more than 150 countries and territories. Its QSR brands include KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco, as well as the fast casual brand, The Habit Burger Grill.

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