| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2020 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation | Basis of Preparation and Principles of Consolidation. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate entities in which we have a controlling financial interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. We also consider consolidating an entity in which we have certain interests where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it. Our most significant variable interests are in entities that operate restaurants under franchise arrangements. We do not generally have an equity interest in our franchisee businesses. Additionally, we do not typically provide significant financial support such as loans or guarantees to our franchisees. We have variable interests in certain entities that operate restaurants under franchise agreements through real estate lease arrangements with them to which we are a party. At December 31, 2020, the Company had future lease payments due from franchisees, on a nominal basis, of approximately $41 million. As our franchise arrangements provide our franchisee entities the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact their economic performance, we do not consider ourselves the primary beneficiary of any such entity that might otherwise be considered a VIE. Through the acquisition of Daojia, the Company also acquired a VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE effectively controlled by Daojia. There exists a parent-subsidiary relationship between Daojia and its VIE as a result of certain exclusive agreements that require Daojia to consolidate its VIE and subsidiaries of the VIE because Daojia is the primary beneficiary that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance, and is entitled to substantially all of the profits and has the obligation to absorb all of the expected losses of the VIE. We consolidate the entities that operate KFCs in Shanghai, Beijing, Wuxi and Suzhou where we have controlling interests of 58%, 70%, 83% and 72%, respectively. We have a noncontrolling 47% interest in the entity that operates the KFCs in and around Hangzhou. This entity is not a VIE and our lack of majority voting rights precludes us from controlling this affiliate. Thus, we do not consolidate this affiliate. Instead, we account for it under the equity method. Our share of the net income or loss of the unconsolidated affiliate is included in Other income, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. The results of Huang Ji Huang and Suzhou KFC’s operations have been included in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements since the acquisition dates of April 8, 2020 and August 3, 2020, respectively. |
| Comparative Information | Comparative Information. Certain comparative items in the Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation to facilitate comparison. |
| Fiscal Calendar | Fiscal Calendar. Our fiscal year ends on December 31, with each quarter comprised of three months. |
| Foreign Currency | Foreign Currency. Our functional currency for the operating entities in China is the Chinese Renminbi (“RMB”), the currency of the primary economic environment in which they operate. Income and expense accounts for our operations are then translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities are then translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in the Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses arising from the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions in foreign currency, to the extent they arise, are included in Other income, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Franchise and License Operations | Franchise Operations. We execute agreements which set out the terms of our arrangement with franchisees. Our franchise agreements typically require the franchisee to pay an initial, non-refundable fee and continuing fees based upon a percentage of sales. Subject to our approval and their payment of a renewal fee, a franchisee may generally renew the franchise agreement upon its expiration. The 3% license fees we pay to YUM for the right to sublicense the KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell intellectual property to franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates are recorded in Franchise expenses. License fees due to YUM for our Company-owned stores are included within restaurant margin in Occupancy and other operating expenses. Total license fees paid to YUM were $256 million, $273 million and $263 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Certain direct costs of our franchise operations are charged to Franchise expenses. These costs include provisions for estimated uncollectible fees, rent or depreciation expense associated with restaurants we sub-lease to franchisees, and certain other direct incremental franchise support costs. We also have certain transactions with franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates, which consist primarily of sales of food and paper products, advertising services and other services provided to franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. Related expenses are included in Expenses for transactions with franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. |
| Revenue Recognition | Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASC 606”), to provide principles within a single framework for revenue recognition of transactions involving contracts with customers across all industries. The standard allows for either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. Additional amendments were subsequently issued by the FASB to clarify the implementation guidance. The Company adopted these standards on January 1, 2018, and applied the full retrospective approach. Therefore, revenue for all three years in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements was consistently accounted for in accordance with ASC 606. The Company’s revenues primarily include Company sales, Franchise fees and income and Revenues from transactions with franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. Company Sales Revenues from Company-owned restaurants are recognized when a customer takes possession of the food and tenders payment, which is when our obligation to perform is satisfied. The Company presents sales net of sales-related taxes. We also offer our customers delivery through both our own mobile applications and third-party aggregators’ platforms. For delivery orders placed through our mobile applications, we use our dedicated riders, while for orders placed through third-party aggregators’ platforms, we either used our dedicated riders or third-party aggregators’ delivery staff in the past. With respect to delivery orders delivered by our dedicated riders, we control and determine the price for the delivery service and generally recognize revenue, including delivery fees, when a customer takes possession of the food. When orders are fulfilled by the delivery staff of third-party aggregators, who control and determine the price for the delivery service, we recognize revenue, excluding delivery fees, when control of the food is transferred to the third-party aggregators’ delivery staff. The payment terms with respect to these sales are short-term in nature. Starting in 2019, we used our own dedicated riders to deliver orders placed through aggregators’ platforms to customers of KFC and Pizza Hut stores. We recognize revenues from prepaid stored-value products, including gift cards and product vouchers, when they are redeemed by the customer. Prepaid gift cards sold at any given point generally expire over the next 36 months, and product vouchers generally expire over a period of up to 12 months. We recognize breakage revenue, which is the amount of prepaid stored-value products that is not expected to be redeemed, either (1) proportionally in earnings as redemptions occur, in situations where the Company expects to be entitled to a breakage amount, or (2) when the likelihood of redemption is remote, in situations where the Company does not expect to be entitled to breakage, provided that there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws. The Company reviews its breakage estimates at least annually based upon the latest available information regarding redemption and expiration patterns. Our privilege membership programs offer privilege members rights to multiple benefits, such as free delivery and discounts on certain products. For certain KFC and Pizza Hut privilege membership programs offering a pre-defined amount of benefits that can be redeemed ratably over the membership period, revenue is ratably recognized over the period based on the elapse of time. With respect to the KFC and Pizza Hut family privilege membership program offering members a mix of distinct benefits, including a welcome gift and assorted discount coupons with pre-defined quantities, consideration collected is allocated to the benefits provided based on their relative standalone selling price and revenue is recognized when food or services are delivered or the benefits expire. In determining the relative standalone selling price of the benefits, the Company considers likelihood of future redemption based on historical redemption pattern and reviews such estimates periodically based upon the latest available information regarding redemption and expiration patterns. Franchise Fees and Income Franchise fees and income primarily include upfront franchise fees, such as initial fees and renewal fees, and continuing fees. We have determined that the services we provide in exchange for upfront franchise fees and continuing fees are highly interrelated with the franchise right. We recognize upfront franchise fees received from a franchisee as revenue over the term of the franchise agreement or the renewal agreement because the franchise rights are accounted for as rights to access our symbolic intellectual property in accordance with ASC 606. The franchise agreement term is generally 10 years Revenues from Transactions with Franchisees and Unconsolidated Affiliates Revenues from transactions with franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates consist primarily of sales of food and paper products, advertising services and other services provided to franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. The Company centrally purchases substantially all food and paper products from suppliers for substantially all of our restaurants, including franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates, and then sells and delivers them to the restaurants. In addition, the Company owns seasoning facilities for its Chinese dining business unit, which manufacture and sell seasoning products to Huang Ji Huang and Little Sheep franchisees. The performance obligation arising from such transactions is considered distinct from the franchise agreement as it is not highly dependent on the franchise agreement and the customer can benefit from the procurement service on its own. We consider ourselves the principal in this arrangement as we have the ability to control a promised good or service before transferring that good or service to the franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control over ordered items, generally upon delivery to the franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. For advertising services, the Company often engages third parties to provide services and acts as a principal in the transaction based on our responsibilities of defining the nature of the services and administering and directing all marketing and advertising programs in accordance with the provisions of our franchise agreements. The Company collects advertising contributions, which are generally based on certain percentage of sales from substantially all of our restaurants, including franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. Other services provided to franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates consist primarily of customer and technology support services. Advertising services and other services provided are highly interrelated to franchise right, and are not considered individually distinct. We recognize revenue when the related sales occur. |
| Loyalty Programs | Loyalty Programs Each of the Company’s KFC and Pizza Hut reportable segments operates a loyalty program that allows registered members to earn points for each qualifying purchase. Points, which generally expire 18 months after being earned, may be redeemed for future purchases of KFC or Pizza Hut branded products or other products for free or at a discounted price. Points cannot be redeemed or exchanged for cash. The estimated value of points earned by the loyalty program members is recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time the points are earned, based on the percentage of points that are projected to be redeemed, with a corresponding deferred revenue liability included in Accounts payable and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and subsequently recognized into revenue when the points are redeemed or expire. The Company estimates the value of the future redemption obligations based on the estimated value of the product for which points are expected to be redeemed and historical redemption patterns and reviews such estimates periodically based upon the latest available information regarding redemption and expiration patterns. |
| Direct Marketing Costs | Direct Marketing Costs. We charge direct marketing costs to expense ratably in relation to revenues over the year in which incurred and, in the case of advertising production costs, in the year the advertisement is first shown. Deferred direct marketing costs, which are classified as prepaid expenses, consist of media and related advertising production costs which will generally be used for the first time in the next fiscal year and have historically not been significant. Our direct marketing expenses incurred for Company-owned restaurants were $307 million, $344 million and $341 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and were included in Occupancy and other operating expenses. In addition, the direct marketing costs incurred for franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates were $60 million, $65 million and $62 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and were recorded in Expenses for transactions with franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates. |
| Research and Development Expenses | Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses associated with our food innovation activities, which are expensed as incurred, are reported in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses. Research and development expenses were $3 million, $4 million and $4 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. |
| Share-Based Compensation | Share-Based Compensation. Prior to the separation, all employee equity awards were granted by YUM. Upon the separation, holders of outstanding YUM equity awards generally received both adjusted YUM awards and Yum China awards, or adjusted awards of either YUM or Yum China in their entirety, to maintain the pre-separation intrinsic value of the awards. The modified equity awards have the same terms and conditions as the awards held immediately before the separation, except the number of shares and the price were adjusted. The incremental compensation cost, measured as the excess of the fair value of the award immediately after the modification over the fair value of the award immediately before the modification, based on Black-Scholes option-pricing model was immaterial, and YUM and the Company continue to recognize the unamortized fair value of the awards over the remaining requisite service period as their respective employees continue to provide services. All awards granted following the separation were granted under the Company’s Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”). We recognize all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) and performance share units (“PSUs”), in the Consolidated Financial Statements as compensation cost over the service period based on their fair value on the date of grant. This compensation cost is recognized over the service period on a straight-line basis, net of an assumed forfeiture rate, for awards that actually vest and when performance conditions are probable of being achieved, if applicable. Forfeiture rates are estimated at grant date based on historical experience and compensation cost is adjusted in subsequent periods for differences in actual forfeitures from the previous estimates. We present this compensation cost consistent with the other compensation costs for the employee recipient in either payroll and employee benefits or G&A expenses. |
| Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets | Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets, primarily Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) and operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The assets are not recoverable if their carrying value is less than the undiscounted cash flows we expect to generate from such assets. If the assets are not deemed to be recoverable, impairment is measured based on the excess of their carrying value over their fair value. For purposes of impairment testing for our restaurants, we have concluded that an individual restaurant is the lowest level of independent cash flows unless our intent is to refranchise restaurants as a group. We review our long-lived assets of such individual restaurants (primarily operating lease ROU assets and When we believe it is more likely than not a restaurant or groups of restaurants will be refranchised for a price less than their carrying value, but do not believe the restaurant(s) have met the criteria to be classified as held for sale, we review the restaurants for impairment. We evaluate the recoverability of these restaurant assets by comparing estimated sales proceeds plus holding period cash flows, if any, to the carrying value of the restaurant or group of restaurants. For restaurant assets that are not deemed to be recoverable, we recognize impairment for any excess of carrying value over the fair value of the restaurants, which is based on the expected net sales proceeds. To the extent ongoing agreements to be entered into with the franchisee simultaneous with the refranchising are expected to contain terms, such as royalty rates, not at prevailing market rates, we consider the off-market terms in our impairment evaluation. We recognize any such impairment charges in Refranchising gain. Refranchising gain includes the gains or losses from the sales of our restaurants to new and existing franchisees, including any impairment charges discussed above. We recognize gains on restaurant refranchising when the sale transaction closes, the franchisee has a minimum amount of the purchase price in at-risk equity and we are satisfied that the franchisee can meet its financial obligations. When we decide to close a restaurant, it is reviewed for impairment, and depreciable lives are adjusted based on the expected disposal date. Other costs incurred when closing a restaurant such as costs of disposing of the assets as well as other facility-related expenses are generally expensed as incurred. Additionally, at the time we decide to close a restaurant, we reassess whether it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the termination option, and remeasure lease liability to reflect changes in lease term and remaining lease payments based on the planned exit date, if applicable. The amount of the re-measurement of the lease liability is recorded as an adjustment to the operating lease ROU asset first, with any remaining amount recorded in Closures and impairment expenses if the carrying amount of the operating lease ROU asset is reduced to zero. Any costs recorded upon store closure as well as any subsequent adjustments to remaining operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities as a result of lease termination are recorded in Closures and impairment expenses. In the event we are forced to close a store and receive compensation for such closure, that compensation is recorded in Closures and impairment expenses. To the extent we sell assets associated with a closed store, any gain or loss upon that sale is also recorded in Closures and impairment expenses. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate future cash flows, including cash flows from continuing use, terminal value, lease term and refranchising proceeds. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from our estimates. |
| Government Subsidies | Government Subsidies. Government subsidies generally consist of financial subsidies received from provincial and local governments for operating a business in their jurisdictions and compliance with specific policies promoted by the local governments. There are no defined rules and regulations to govern the criteria necessary for companies to receive such benefits, and the amount of financial subsidy is determined at the discretion of the relevant government authorities. Government subsidies are recognized when it is probable that the Company will comply with the conditions attached to them, and the subsidies are received. If the subsidy is related to an expense item, it is recognized as a reduction to the related expense to match the subsidy to the costs that it is intended to compensate. If the subsidy is related to an asset, it is deferred and recorded in other liabilities and then recognized ratably over the expected useful life of the related asset in the Consolidated Statements of Income. |
| Income Taxes | Income Taxes. We record deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases as well as operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those differences or carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Additionally, in determining the need for recording a valuation allowance against the carrying amount of deferred tax assets, we consider the amount of taxable income and periods over which it must be earned, actual levels of past taxable income and known trends and events or transactions that are expected to affect future levels of taxable income. Where we determine that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of an asset will not be realized, we record a valuation allowance. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The Tax Act requires complex computations with significant estimates to be performed, significant judgments to be made in interpretation of the provisions, and the preparation and analysis of information not previously relevant or regularly produced. The U.S. Treasury Department, the IRS, the SEC and other standard-setting bodies could interpret or issue guidance on how provisions of the Tax Act will be applied or otherwise administered that is different from our current interpretation. We completed our analysis of the Tax Act in the fourth quarter of 2018 according to guidance released by the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS as of December 2018 and made an adjustment of $36 million to reduce the provisional amount for transition tax recorded in 2017 accordingly. The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released the final transition tax regulations in the first quarter of 2019. We completed the evaluation of the impact on our transition tax computation based on the final regulations released in the first quarter of 2019 and recorded an additional income tax expense of $8 million for the transition tax accordingly. We are subject to reviews, examinations and audits by Chinese tax authorities, the IRS and other taxing authorities with respect to income and non-income based taxes. We recognize the benefit of positions taken or expected to be taken in our tax returns when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by these tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We have investments in our foreign subsidiaries where the carrying values for financial reporting exceed the tax basis. Except for the planned but yet to be distributed earnings, we have not provided deferred tax on the portion of the excess that we believe is indefinitely reinvested, as we have the ability and intent to indefinitely postpone the basis differences from reversing with a tax consequence. The Company’s separation from YUM was intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization for U.S. income tax purposes resulting in the excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis in our investment in the China business continuing to be indefinitely reinvested. The excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis as of December 31 2017 was subject to the one-time transition tax under the Tax Act as a deemed repatriation of accumulated undistributed earnings from the foreign subsidiaries. However, we continue to believe that the portion of the excess of financial reporting basis over tax basis (including earnings and profits subject to the one-time transition tax) is indefinitely reinvested in our foreign subsidiaries for foreign withholding tax purposes. Pursuant to the China Enterprise Income Tax Law (“EIT Law”), a 10% PRC withholding tax is generally levied on dividends declared by companies in China to their non-resident enterprise investors unless otherwise reduced according to treaties or arrangements between the Chinese central government and the governments of other countries or regions where the non-China resident enterprises are incorporated. Hong Kong has a tax arrangement with mainland China that provides for a 5% withholding tax on dividends distributed to a Hong Kong resident enterprise, upon meeting certain conditions and requirements, including, among others, that the Hong Kong resident enterprise own at least 25% equity interest of the Chinese enterprise and is a “beneficial owner” of the dividends. We believe that our Hong Kong subsidiary, which is the equity holder of our Chinese subsidiaries, met the relevant requirements pursuant to the tax arrangement between mainland China and Hong Kong in 2018 and is expected to meet the requirements in the subsequent years; thus, it is more likely than not that our dividends declared or earnings expected to be repatriated since 2018 are subject to the reduced withholding tax of 5%. See Note 16 for a further discussion of our income taxes. |
| Fair Value Measurements | Fair Value Measurements. Fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants. For those assets and liabilities we record or disclose at fair value, we determine fair value based upon the quoted market price, if available. If a quoted market price is not available for identical assets, we determine fair value based upon the quoted market price of similar assets or the present value of expected future cash flows considering the risks involved, including counterparty performance risk if appropriate, and using discount rates appropriate for the duration. The fair values are assigned a level within the fair value hierarchy, depending on the source of the inputs into the calculation.
Level 1
Inputs based upon quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Level 2
Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3
Inputs that are unobservable for the asset. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments with original maturities not exceeding three months and are primarily comprised of time deposits. Cash and overdraft balances that meet the criteria for right to offset are presented net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
| Short-term Investments | Short-term Investments. Short-term investments primarily represent time deposits with original maturities of over three months but less than one year when purchased. |
| Accounts Receivable | Accounts Receivable. Accounts Receivable consist of trade receivables and royalties from franchisees and unconsolidated affiliates, and are generally due within 30 days of the period in which the corresponding sales occur and are classified as Accounts receivable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, our provision for uncollectible receivable balances was based upon pre-defined aging criteria or upon the occurrence of other events that indicated that we may not collect the balance due. Additionally, we monitor the financial condition of our franchisees and record provisions for estimated losses on receivables when we believe it is probable that our franchisees will be unable to make their required payments. Upon adoption of ASC 326 starting from January 1, 2020, our provision of credit losses for accounts receivable is based upon the current expected credit losses ("CECL") model. The CECL model requires an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of accounts receivable since initial recognition, and accounts receivable with similar risk characteristics are grouped together when estimating CECL. In assessing the CECL, the Company considers both quantitative and qualitative information that is reasonable and supportable, including historical credit loss experience, adjusted for relevant factors impacting collectability and forward-looking information indicative of external market conditions. While we use the best information available in making our determination, the ultimate recovery of recorded receivables is also dependent upon future economic events and other conditions that may be beyond our control. Accounts receivables that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, and for which collection efforts have been exhausted, are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the ending balances of provision for accounts receivable were $1 million and $1 million, respectively, and amounts of accounts receivable past due were immaterial. Receivables due from unconsolidated affiliates including accounts receivables and dividend receivables were $50 million and $58 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. |
| Receivables from Payment Processors or Aggregators | Receivables from Payment Processors or Aggregators. Receivables from payment processors such as WeChat and Alipay or aggregators are cash due from them for clearing transactions and are included in Prepaid expenses and other current assets. The cash was paid by customers through these payment processors or aggregators for food provided by the Company. The Company considers and monitors the credit worthiness of the third-party payment processors and aggregators used. Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, an allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded in the period in which a loss is determined to be probable. Upon adoption of ASC 326 starting from January 1, 2020, we adopted the same methodology of estimating expected credit losses based upon the CECL model as described above. Receivable balances are written off after all collection efforts have been exhausted. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, no allowance for doubtful accounts was provided for such receivables. |
| Inventories | Inventories. We value our inventories at the lower of cost (computed on the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. |
| Property, Plant and Equipment | Property, Plant and Equipment. We state PP&E at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We calculate depreciation and amortization on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: 20 to 50 years for buildings, the lesser of estimated useful lives (5 to 10 years) and remaining lease term for leasehold improvements, 3 to 10 years for restaurant machinery and equipment and 3 to 5 years for capitalized software costs. We suspend depreciation and amortization on assets related to restaurants that are held for sale. |
| Leases | Leases. The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASC 842”) and subsequent amendments issued by FASB on January 1, 2019, using a modified retrospective method for leases that exist at, or are entered into after, January 1, 2019, and has not recast the comparative periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, operating leases were not recognized on the balance sheet of the Company, but rent expenses with fixed escalating payments and/or rent holidays were recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Contingent rentals are generally based on sales levels, and thus are included in rent expense when attainment of the contingency is considered probable (e.g., when Company sales occur). Upon adoption of ASC 842, ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized upon lease commencement for operating leases based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the rate implicit in the lease cannot be readily determined, we use our incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date in determining the imputed interest and present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate was determined using a portfolio approach based on the rate of interest that we would have to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term. The incremental borrowing rate is primarily influenced by the risk-free interest rate of China, the Company’s credit rating and lease term, and is updated on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease liabilities. For operating leases, the Company recognizes a single lease cost on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term. For finance leases, the Company recognizes straight-line amortization of the ROU asset and interest on the lease liability. This is consistent with the historical recognition of finance leases, which was unchanged upon adoption of ASC 842. For rental payments either based on a percentage of the restaurant’s sales in excess of a fixed base amount or solely based on a percentage of the restaurant’s sales, they are recognized as variable lease expenses as incurred. The Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less; we recognize lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In addition, the Company has elected not to separate non-lease components (e.g., common area maintenance fees) from the lease components. From time to time, we purchase the rights to use government-owned land and the building occupying the land for a fixed period of time. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, these land use rights and related buildings were recorded in Other Assets and Property, Plant and Equipment in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the land use rights. Upon the adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, land use rights acquired are assessed in accordance with ASC 842 and recognized in right-of-use assets if they meet the definition of lease. See Note 11 for further discussions on our leases. |
| Internal Development Costs and Abandoned Sites Costs | Internal Development Costs and Abandoned Site Costs. We capitalize direct costs associated with the site acquisition and construction of a Company unit on that site, including direct internal payroll and payroll-related costs. Only those site-specific costs incurred subsequent to the time that the site acquisition is considered probable are capitalized. If we subsequently make a determination that it is probable a site for which internal development costs have been capitalized will not be acquired or developed, any previously capitalized internal development costs are expensed and included in G&A expenses. |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets | Goodwill and Intangible Assets. From time to time, the Company acquires restaurants from our existing franchisees or acquires another business, including restaurants business of unconsolidated affiliates. Goodwill from these acquisitions represents the excess of the cost of a business acquired over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized and has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing. Our reporting units are our individual operating segments. We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate impairment might exist. We have selected the beginning of our fourth quarter as the date on which to perform our ongoing annual impairment test for goodwill. We may elect to perform a qualitative assessment for our reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying value. If a qualitative assessment is not performed, or if as a result of a qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, then the reporting unit’s fair value is compared to its carrying value. Fair value is the price a willing buyer would pay for a reporting unit, and is generally estimated using discounted expected future after-tax cash flows from the business operation of the reporting unit. The discount rate is our estimate of the required rate-of-return that a third-party buyer would expect to receive when purchasing a business from us that constitutes a reporting unit. We believe the discount rate is commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the forecasted cash flows. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we will record an impairment charge based on that difference. The impairment charge will be limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. If we record goodwill upon acquisition of a restaurant(s) from a franchisee and such restaurant(s) is then sold within two years of acquisition, the goodwill associated with the acquired restaurant(s) is written off in its entirety. If the restaurant is refranchised two years or more subsequent to its acquisition, we include goodwill in the carrying amount of the restaurants disposed of based on the relative fair values of the portion of the reporting unit disposed of in the refranchising and the portion of the reporting unit that will be retained. We determine the useful life of intangible assets with consideration of factors including the expected use of the asset, the expected useful life of another asset or a group of assets to which the useful life of the intangible asset may relate, any legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life, our historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements, the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors, and the level of maintenance expenditures required to obtain the expected future cash flows from the assets. We evaluate the remaining useful life of an intangible asset that is not being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. If an intangible asset that is not being amortized is subsequently determined to have a finite useful life, we amortize the intangible asset prospectively over its estimated remaining useful life. The Company’s indefinite-lived intangible asset represents Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang trademarks as we consider their useful life to be indefinite since we intend to use Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang trademarks indefinitely and there are no legal, regulatory or contractual provisions that may limit the useful life of the trademarks. Intangible assets that are deemed to have a finite life are generally amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line basis to their residual value as follows:
Reacquired franchise rights
2 to 10 years
Huang Ji Huang franchise related assets
19 years
Daojia platform
8 years
Customer-related assets
2 to 15 years
Others
up to 20 years The useful life of reacquired franchise rights was determined based on the contractual term whereas both the contractual term and historical pattern of renewing franchise agreements were considered in assessing the useful life of Huang Ji Huang franchise related assets. Customer-related assets primarily represent the customer relationship and user base acquired and the estimate of the useful life was based on the historical pattern of extending similar arrangements and attrition rate of users. Others primarily represent Little Sheep’s secret recipe. The useful life of the Daojia platform and Little Sheep’s secret recipe was assessed based on our estimate of periods generating cash flows from utilizing such assets. We evaluate our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis or more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate impairments might exist. We perform our annual test for impairment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets at the beginning of our fourth quarter. We may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying value. If a qualitative assessment is not performed, or if as a result of a qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its carrying value, then the asset’s fair value is compared to its carrying value. Fair value is an estimate of the price a willing buyer would pay for the intangible asset and is generally estimated by discounting the expected future after-tax cash flows associated with the intangible asset. Our finite-lived intangible assets that are not allocated to an individual restaurant are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. An intangible asset that is deemed not recoverable based on forecasted undiscounted future cash flow is written down to its estimated fair value, which is our estimate of the price a willing buyer would pay for the intangible asset based on discounted expected future after-tax cash flows. For purposes of our impairment analysis, we update the cash flows that were initially used to value the finite-lived intangible asset to reflect our current estimates and assumptions over the asset’s future remaining life. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded an impairment charge of $11 million and $12 million, respectively, on intangible assets and goodwill attributable to the Daojia business. See Note 5 for additional details. |
| Equity Investments | Equity Investments. The Company’s equity investments include investments in unconsolidated affiliates and investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair value. The Company applies the equity method to account for the investments in unconsolidated affiliates over which it has significant influence but does not control. Equity method investments are included as Investments in unconsolidated affiliates on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our share of earnings or losses and share of changes in other comprehensive income or losses of equity method investees is included in net income and other comprehensive income or losses, respectively. We record impairment charges related to an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate whenever events or circumstances indicate that a decrease in the fair value of an investment has occurred which is other than temporary. In addition, we evaluate our investments in unconsolidated affiliates for impairment when they have experienced two consecutive years of operating losses. For our investments in equity securities with readily determinable fair value, over which the Company has neither significant influence nor control, they are measured at fair value with subsequent changes recognized in net income. |
| Financial Instruments | Financial Instruments. We account for derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The financial instruments are recorded at their respective fair value as determined on the day of issuance and subsequently adjusted to the fair value at each reporting date. Changes in the fair value of financial instruments are recognized periodically in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The estimated fair values of derivative instruments are determined at discrete points in time using standard valuation techniques. |
| Noncontrolling Interests | Noncontrolling Interests. We report Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests separately on the face of our Consolidated Statements of Income. The portion of equity attributable to noncontrolling interests is reported within equity, separately from the Company’s stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. When the noncontrolling interest is redeemable at the option of the noncontrolling shareholder, or contingently redeemable upon the occurrence of a conditional event that is not solely within the control of the Company, the noncontrolling interest is separately classified as mezzanine equity. In connection with the acquisition of Huang Ji Huang, a redeemable noncontrolling interest was initially recognized at fair value and classified outside of permanent equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets due to redemption rights being held by the noncontrolling shareholder. Subsequent changes in the redemption value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest are immediately recognized as they occur and adjusted to the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest. |
| Guarantees | Guarantees. We account for guarantees in accordance with ASC Topic 460 (“ASC 460”), Guarantees . Accordingly, the Company evaluates its guarantees to determine whether (a) the guarantee is specifically excluded from the scope of ASC 460, (b) the guarantee is subject to ASC 460 disclosure requirements only, but not subject to the initial recognition and measurement provisions, or (c) the guarantee is required to be recorded in the financial statements at fair value. The Company provides: (i) indemnifications to certain investors and other parties for certain losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party in connection with third-party claims; and (ii) indemnifications of officers and directors against third-party claims arising from the services they provide to the Company. To date, the Company has not incurred costs as a result of these obligations and does not expect to incur material costs in the future. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these indemnifications. |
| Asset Retirement Obligations | Asset Retirement Obligations. We recognize an asset and a liability for the fair value of a required asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) when such an obligation is incurred. The Company’s AROs are primarily associated with leasehold improvements which, at the end of the lease, the Company is contractually obligated to remove in order to comply with the lease agreement. As such, we amortize the asset on a straight-line basis over the lease term and accrete the liability to its nominal value using the effective interest method over the lease term. |
| Contingencies | Contingencies. The Company records accruals for certain of its outstanding legal proceedings or claims when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal proceedings or claims that could affect the amount of any accrual, as well as any developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company discloses the amount of the accrual if it is material. |
| Retirement Plans | Retirement Plans. Certain of the Company’s employees participate in noncontributory defined benefit plans and post-retirement medical plans sponsored by YUM prior to October 31, 2016. Subsequent to the separation, employees participating in YUM’s plans were enrolled in the Yum China Holdings, Inc. Leadership Retirement Plan (“YCHLRP”), an unfunded, unsecured account-based retirement plan which allocates a percentage of pay to an account payable to the executive following the executive’s separation of employment from the Company or attainment of age 55. The Company also offers other defined contribution plans to employees. The total contribution for such employee benefits was expensed as incurred. The Company has no additional legal obligation or liabilities for the benefits beyond the paid and accrued amounts. See Note 13 for additional information. |
| PRC Value-Added Tax | PRC Value-Added Tax. The Company has been subject to VAT within the normal course of its restaurant business nationwide since May 1, 2016. Entities that are VAT general taxpayers are permitted to offset qualified input VAT paid to suppliers against their output VAT upon receipt of appropriate supplier VAT invoices on an entity-by-entity basis. When the output VAT exceeds the input VAT, the difference is remitted to tax authorities, usually on a monthly basis; whereas when the input VAT exceeds the output VAT, the difference is treated as an input VAT credit asset which can be carried forward indefinitely to offset future net VAT payables. VAT related to purchases and sales which have not been settled at the balance sheet date is disclosed separately as an asset and liability, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At each balance sheet date, the Company reviews the outstanding balance of any input VAT credit asset for recoverability, giving consideration to the indefinite life of the input VAT credit assets as well as its forecasted operating results and capital spending, which inherently includes significant assumptions that are subject to change. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, an input VAT credit asset of $270 million and $243 million, were recorded in Other assets, respectively, and payable of $6 million and $5 million, were recorded in Accounts payable and other current liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company has not made an allowance for the recoverability of the input VAT credit asset, as the balance is expected to be utilized to offset against VAT payables more than one year from December 31, 2020. Any input VAT credit asset would be classified as Prepaid expenses and other current assets if the credit expected to be used within one year can be reasonably determined. |
| Earnings Per Share | Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share represent net earnings to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common shares were exercised or converted into common shares. See Note 4 for further information. |
| Common Stock Repurchases | Common Stock Repurchases. We may repurchase shares of Yum China common stock under a program authorized by our board of directors from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, including block trades, accelerated share repurchase transactions and the use of Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. Shares repurchased are included in treasury stock in the financial statements. See Note 15 for further information. |
| Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements | Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework –changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-18, Collaborative Arrangements (Topic 808), Clarifying the Interaction between Topic 808 and Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) entity from presenting consideration from a transaction in a collaborative arrangement as revenue if the counterparty is not a customer for that transaction. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2020, and such adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements. |
