Yum Brands has launched new executive education programs targeted toward operations leaders who want to take on senior management roles in franchise organizations. The programs are part of the company’s Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, launched in partnership with the University of Louisville in 2021. Louisville, Kentucky is home to Yum’s corporate headquarters.
The new programming is part of Yum’s $100 million Unlocking Opportunity initiative, also launched in 2021 to promote equity and inclusion, education and entrepreneurship for employees, frontline restaurant teams and communities around the world. Equipping operations leaders to take on senior management roles has been identified as a key opportunity within this initiative.
“Yum Brands is passionate about the franchise business model, and capable franchise leaders are the lifeblood of every successful franchise system. As the franchisor of choice for the industry, we are thrilled to partner with the University of Louisville and address a need of the industry – training a new generation of leaders to take on senior management roles in franchise businesses,” Wanda Williams, head of global franchising at Yum, said in a statement.
The two new “Accelerating Growth” education tracks will launch in the summer and fall 2024 semesters and will focus on training attendees to upskill their franchising education. They include a six-month Level 1 program designed to train general managers and area coaches for a vice president role, and an advanced one-year program customized to prepare vice presidents for a role as president of a franchise organization. Both programs include online and experiential education, and the advanced program also includes a final simulation and development of a business plan.
“The ‘Accelerating Growth’ program is an exceptional addition to the multilevel franchise education offered by our center at the University of Louisville and is yet another way we can create opportunities for professionals across the franchising industry. We are incredibly grateful for Yum’s continued support for the center and this opportunity to expand the center’s programs,” Kathleen Gosser, director of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence and Assistant Professor in the UofL College of Business, said in a statement.
Since the launch of the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence, enrollment has exceeded 900 students – 423 undergrad, 50 graduate-level and 500 executive education enrollees.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]