Aaron Powell has stepped down as Global CEO of Pizza Hut following the completion of Yum Brands’ sale of the pizza chain, marking a leadership transition as the business moves under new ownership.
Powell resigned as CEO of Pizza Hut and from his other roles within Yum Brands, effective September 1, 2026, according to a regulatory filing. He had led the global pizza business since taking charge as CEO in 2021.
His departure comes alongside the completion of Yum Brands’ divestment of Pizza Hut. The transaction was structured across two separate deals, with a combined value of USD 2.7 billion.
Powell had signalled his exit earlier in August through a LinkedIn post, where he also shared that LongRange Capital, the private equity investor acquiring a substantial portion of Pizza Hut’s operations, had offered him a role following the transaction.
With the sale now completed and Powell’s tenure coming to an end, Pizza Hut is set to enter its next phase under new ownership and a new leadership structure.
