Starbucks vs Yum! Brands (SBUX vs YUM)

Starbucks (SBUX) vs Yum! Brands (YUM) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.

Starbucks (SBUX) and Yum! Brands (YUM) compete in restaurants. Here are Starbucks and Yum! Brands side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Starbucks or Yum! Brands.

Starbucks vs Yum! Brands: the figures

Starbucks and Yum! Brands figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Starbucks or Yum! Brands figure is not available, and we never estimate it.

3 key differences between Starbucks and Yum! Brands

1. Valuation: Starbucks trades at 49.6x its annual earnings and Yum! Brands at 13.4x; the market pays more for each dollar of Starbucks profit, usually because it expects more growth.
2. Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Yum! Brands keeps 25.4 as net profit and Starbucks keeps 6.7.
3. Growth: Yum! Brands grew sales +12.2% year on year in its latest quarter, against -4.5% for Starbucks.

Starbucks or Yum! Brands: which fits your profile

• If you want growth: Yum! Brands is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
• If you want income (dividends): Starbucks pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
• If you prefer caution: Starbucks has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
• If price is what matters most to you: Yum! Brands trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.

Neither Starbucks nor Yum! Brands wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.

How Starbucks and Yum! Brands make money

Starbucks (SBUX)

Starbucks sells coffee, drinks and food in company-operated and licensed stores. It reports North America, its largest segment; International, where China is a key market; and Channel Development, which earns money from packaged coffee and ready-to-drink beverages sold in grocery stores, largely through its alliance with Nestlé. Full Starbucks analysis.

Yum! Brands (YUM)

Yum! Brands owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut and reports a separate division for each. Almost all of its restaurants are run by franchisees, who pay royalties on sales and contribute to advertising funds. KFC carries the most weight internationally, while Taco Bell is its powerhouse in the United States. Full Yum! Brands analysis.

Frequently asked questions: Starbucks vs Yum! Brands

Is Starbucks or Yum! Brands the better stock?

Choosing between Starbucks and Yum! Brands depends on what you are looking for. Yum! Brands is growing faster right now, and Yum! Brands trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Starbucks or Yum! Brands: it shows you the differences so you can decide.

Which pays a higher dividend, Starbucks or Yum! Brands?

As of November 4, 2026, Starbucks yields 2.41% and Yum! Brands yields 1.90%. Also check how much of their profit Starbucks and Yum! Brands pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.

Which is more expensive, Starbucks or Yum! Brands?

On P/E, Starbucks (49.6x) is more expensive than Yum! Brands (13.4x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.

Can I own both Starbucks and Yum! Brands?

Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Starbucks and Yum! Brands, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Starbucks or Yum! Brands.

More comparisons with Starbucks or Yum! Brands

• Chipotle vs Starbucks
• McDonald's vs Starbucks
• Chipotle vs Yum! Brands
• McDonald's vs Yum! Brands

More companies like Starbucks and Yum! Brands: restaurants stocks. Educational content about Starbucks and Yum! Brands, not investment advice.