Yum! Brands – On a Mission

by Elizabeth Denham

Ericka Garza is on a mission. She wants to change the demographic of franchisees to include more women and minorities from the inside out – starting with her company. She currently serves as Director of Franchise Recruitment for Pizza Hut, US. And leads the Philanthropic & Community pillar for YUM’s Multi- Cultural ERG. In addition, sits on YUM’s LIFT2 Council (Leading Inclusion for Today and Tomorrow). Garza has the smarts, perseverance and passion to succeed.

“I’m excited to work along a talented team dedicated to ensuring, as a company, we are doing more than just checking a box,” Garza said. “Our plan is to create pathways to entrepreneurship for women and minorities in the Yum! ecosystem. It is important that we be a home for qualified female franchisees throughout our four brands.”

The first step Garza’s taken within her organization is to elevate and amplify the existing franchisee female voices within the Pizza Hut family.

Yum! Brands includes Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and the Habit Burger Grill.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to increase the presence and voice of women franchisees within the organization. It takes a smart, strong, fearless woman to have that voice.”

The company is committed to supporting women in our franchise organizations to succeed, grow and retain Garza noted.

The next step is exploring and expanding the paths to allow entry to more women. While she works to elevate the women franchisees we already have in the company; Garza also has set aggressive goals to drive more women into the Pizza Hut Brand.

“There are women who deserve the opportunity, but they may not have the financial backing or the funding. Ensuring women have an equitable access to financing from banking institutions will be vital,” she said.

Garza and her counterparts at KFC and Taco Bell are in the planning stages of executing the first ever virtual professional development conference for women in franchising slated for Fall 2020. The conference will bring together women leaders across YUM! Brands to support diversity, networking, leverage learnings and collaborate.

“We are so excited about this conference, and we believe it will go a long way toward helping us move forward in elevating women in the company and attracting women to our brands,” Garza said. “Stay tuned for more information!”

To learn more about Yum! Brands, please visit https://www.yum.com/ wps/portal/yumbrands/Yumbrands