Pizza Hut is set for a leadership transition following the completion of its divestment by Yum Brands, with global CEO Aaron Powell stepping down from his role after more than five years at the helm.
According to a regulatory filing by Yum Brands, Powell resigned as CEO of Pizza Hut and from his other positions within the group, effective September 1, 2026. His departure comes on the same day Yum Brands formally completed the transaction to sell the pizza chain.
Powell was appointed Global CEO of Pizza Hut in 2021. He had announced his planned departure earlier in August through a LinkedIn post, where he also revealed that LongRange Capital, the private equity firm acquiring a substantial portion of Pizza Hut’s operations, had offered him a role following the transaction.
His resignation marks the end of his tenure at Pizza Hut as the brand transitions to a new ownership structure.
Yum Brands completes Pizza Hut sale
Yum Brands, which also owns KFC and Taco Bell, announced on September 1 that it had completed the sale of its Pizza Hut business.
The divestment was structured through two separate transactions, with the combined deals valued at $2.7 billion. The completion of the transaction marks a new phase for Pizza Hut as the business moves under its incoming ownership and prepares for a change in leadership.
