SHANGHAI, China – Yum China Holdings, Inc. announced it has been named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2023 by Fast Company. This marks the second time the Company has been included in the prestigious annual list, following its previous inclusion in 2020.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature list and provides a firsthand look at the inspiring and innovative efforts of companies across all sectors of the economy.
Fast Company recognized Yum China’s efforts to promote digital inclusion, specifically highlighting KFC‘s roll-out of a new version of its app with a simplified user interface designed for seniors. Fast Company highlighted the app as being “the first of its kind in the fast-food business.”
“We are honored to receive this recognition once again, which underscores Yum China’s vision to becoming the world’s most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry,” said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. “We embed innovative thinking and approaches across our business as we strive to make a difference and drive sustainable growth.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of and demand for digital services among the older consumer demographic group. The launch of the senior-friendly KFC Super App set a benchmark for the restaurant industry, highlighting how digital technologies can adapt and help bridge the digital divide for the older consumer demographic group.
The senior-friendly app is not just about enlarging the fonts and streamlining functions. By utilizing AI technology, the app can generate meaningful recommendations according to user habits and simplify the purchasing process.
Yum China was one of the earliest restaurant companies to embrace digitalization. As early as 2014, the Company launched its digital loyalty program. The program has grown to over 410 million members by end of 2022. The majority of customers now place their orders through the Company’s proprietary SuperApps and other digital channels.
Digital ordering accounted for nearly 90% of the Company’s sales in 2022, a notable increase from 55% in 2019. The Company has also created a powerful digital ecosystem that effectively integrates online platforms with offline stores, offering customers great experience while driving operational excellence.
Innovation is a key ingredient of Yum China’s core competitiveness, penetrating all aspects of the business – from digitalization, menu innovation to store format development, among other areas. Moving forward, Yum China will continue to explore and roll out new and exciting innovations in order to better serve customers, drive efficiencies and achieve sustainable growth.
