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PZZA vs YUM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Restaurants
PZZA vs YUM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
| Market Cap | $1.11B | $43.13B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.05B | $8.48B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $65M | $1.74B |
| Gross Margin | 28.9% | 45.7% |
| Operating Margin | 4.3% | 31.5% |
| Forward P/E | 22.2x | 23.1x |
| Total Debt | $226M | $11.91B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $37M | $709M |
PZZA vs YUM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papa John's Interna… (PZZA) | 100 | 43.4 | -56.6% |
| Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) | 100 | 173.9 | +73.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PZZA vs YUM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
PZZA is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (22.2x vs 23.1x)
- 5.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs YUM's 1.8%
YUM carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 8 yrs, beta 0.19, yield 1.8%
- Rev growth 8.8%, EPS growth 6.5%, 3Y rev CAGR 6.3%
- 202.2% 10Y total return vs PZZA's -22.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 8.8% revenue growth vs PZZA's -0.3% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (22.2x vs 23.1x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 20.5% margin vs PZZA's 3.1% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.19 vs PZZA's 0.95 | |
| Dividends | 5.5% yield, 5-year raise streak, vs YUM's 1.8% | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +7.2% vs PZZA's +5.3% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 22.8% ROA vs PZZA's 7.7%, ROIC 48.1% vs 48.3% |
PZZA vs YUM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
PZZA vs YUM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
YUM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
YUM is the larger business by revenue, generating $8.5B annually — 4.1x PZZA's $2.1B. YUM is the more profitable business, keeping 20.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PZZA's 3.1%. On growth, YUM holds the edge at +15.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.1B | $8.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $181M | $2.8B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $65M | $1.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $61M | $1.6B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +28.9% | +45.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +4.3% | +31.5% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.1% | +20.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +3.0% | +19.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -6.1% | +15.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -50.0% | +72.2% |
Valuation Metrics
PZZA leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 28.1x trailing earnings, YUM trades at a 25% valuation discount to PZZA's 37.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, PZZA's 7.1x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than YUM's 19.9x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.1B | $43.1B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.3B | $54.3B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 37.53x | 28.06x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 22.25x | 23.11x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.06x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 7.15x | 19.86x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.54x | 5.25x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | — | — |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 18.07x | 26.31x |
Profitability & Efficiency
PZZA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), PZZA scores 6/9 vs YUM's 5/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | — | — |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +7.7% | +22.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +48.3% | +48.1% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +15.4% | +41.7% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | — |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $189M | $11.2B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $37M | $709M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $226M | $11.9B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | — | 5.26x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
YUM leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in YUM five years ago would be worth $13,892 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $4,177 for PZZA. Over the past 12 months, YUM leads with a +7.2% total return vs PZZA's +5.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors YUM at 6.3% vs PZZA's -20.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -15.0% | +4.2% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +5.3% | +7.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -49.6% | +20.2% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -58.2% | +38.9% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -22.1% | +202.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -20.4% | +6.3% |
Risk & Volatility
YUM leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
YUM is the less volatile stock with a 0.19 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PZZA's 0.95 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. YUM currently trades 92.1% from its 52-week high vs PZZA's 60.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.95x | 0.19x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $55.74 | $169.39 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $29.55 | $137.33 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +60.6% | +92.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 45.5 | 39.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 1.2M | 1.6M |
Analyst Outlook
Evenly matched — PZZA and YUM each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PZZA as "Buy" and YUM as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 16.4% upside for PZZA (target: $39) vs 11.8% for YUM (target: $174). For income investors, PZZA offers the higher dividend yield at 5.49% vs YUM's 1.82%.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $39.33 | $174.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 32 | 51 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +5.5% | +1.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 5 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $1.86 | $2.84 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.3% |
YUM leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). PZZA leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Profitability & Efficiency). 1 tied.
PZZA vs YUM: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PZZA or YUM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is the stronger pick with 8. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 3% for Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA). Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM) offers the better valuation at 28. 1x trailing P/E (23. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA) a "Buy" — based on 32 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PZZA or YUM?
On trailing P/E, Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is the cheapest at 28. 1x versus Papa John's International, Inc. at 37. 5x. On forward P/E, Papa John's International, Inc. is actually cheaper at 22. 2x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PZZA or YUM?
Over the past 5 years, Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) delivered a total return of +38. 9%, compared to -58. 2% for Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: YUM returned +202. 2% versus PZZA's -22. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PZZA or YUM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 19β versus Papa John's International, Inc. 's 0. 95β — meaning PZZA is approximately 402% more volatile than YUM relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — PZZA or YUM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is pulling ahead at 8. 8% versus -0. 3% for Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Yum! Brands, Inc. grew EPS 6. 5% year-over-year, compared to -64. 6% for Papa John's International, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, YUM leads at 6. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PZZA or YUM?
Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is the more profitable company, earning 19. 0% net margin versus 3. 1% for Papa John's International, Inc. — meaning it keeps 19. 0% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: YUM leads at 30. 8% versus 4. 3% for PZZA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — YUM leads at 46. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PZZA or YUM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Papa John's International, Inc.
(PZZA) trades at 22. 2x forward P/E versus 23. 1x for Yum! Brands, Inc. — 0. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for PZZA: 16. 4% to $39. 33.
08Which pays a better dividend — PZZA or YUM?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA) offers the highest yield at 5. 5%, versus 1. 8% for Yum! Brands, Inc. (YUM).
09Is PZZA or YUM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Yum!
Brands, Inc. (YUM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 19), 1. 8% yield, +202. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (YUM: +202. 2%, PZZA: -22. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PZZA and YUM?
Both stocks operate in the Consumer Cyclical sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: PZZA is a small-cap income-oriented stock; YUM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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