Chris Turner: From Arkansas Farm Roots to CEO of Yum! Brands
Education
DeWitt High School
DeWitt, Arkansas, USA
(1988 – 1992)
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
(1992 – 1997)
Stanford University
Stanford, California, USA
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
(2000 – 2002)
If your teachers were interviewed, what might they say about you?
They would probably describe Chris as a curious and diligent student with a well-rounded personality. His classmates voted him “Wittiest Student” of his graduating class.
What did you aspire to be as a child?
Growing up on a rice farm in southeastern Arkansas, I dreamed of becoming a farmer like my dad. At different points, I also wanted to be a police officer—like many kids do—and a comedian because making people laugh has always brought me joy.
Career
First Job
My first experience working came early—I began operating large tractors and inspecting rice fields when I was just ten. My father was a fourth-generation rice farmer, and that upbringing sparked my interest in technology and operations, ultimately leading me to pursue industrial engineering.
Walmart – Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Logistics Analyst (1996 – 1997)
Accenture – Dallas, Texas, USA
Consultant (1997 – 2000)
McKinsey & Company – Dallas, Texas, USA
Associate (2002 – 2004)
Engagement Manager (2004 – 2006)
Associate Partner (2006 – 2008)
Partner (2009 – 2016)
PepsiCo – Dallas, Texas & Rogers, Arkansas, USA
Senior Vice President, Strategy, Frito-Lay North America (2016 – 2017)
Senior Vice President, Transformation, Frito-Lay North America (2017)
Senior Vice President & General Manager, Global Walmart Service Team (2017 – 2019)
Yum! Brands – Plano, Texas, USA
Chief Financial & Franchise Officer (2019 – 2025)
Chief Executive Officer (2025 – Present)
Views and Reflections
Do you believe in work-life balance?
Absolutely. Work-life balance is essential, even though I recognize that my role doesn’t fit within typical 9-to-5 boundaries. I focus on maximizing the quality of time I spend with my family—making each moment meaningful rather than letting it slip by.
Who has profoundly influenced your outlook on life?
Jimmy Wright
As a child, I spent countless hours working alongside Jimmy, a farmhand in his forties. Despite limited formal education and modest means, he possessed immense wisdom, humility, and positivity. Jimmy taught me early on that character matters far more than possessions.
My Great-Grandmother
After relocating to rural Arkansas, she began selling products door to door—something entirely new to her. Her determination and resilience continue to inspire me and reflect the leadership traits we value at Yum! Brands: leading with intelligence, compassion, and courage.
Sam Walton
During a college internship at Walmart, I was inspired by Sam Walton’s philosophy that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things” and that “the customer is the ultimate boss.” I still keep his book Made in America from that summer—it deeply shaped my leadership mindset.
My Sister
My sister’s journey was one of discovery and purpose. After teaching English in a small Costa Rican village, she returned to Dallas and founded Solar Prep, an all-girls public STEM school that continues to earn national recognition. Her passing in 2019, following a short but valiant battle with cancer, reminded me of her guiding principle from the book Chasing Daylight: to “chase daylight” and live each day fully and purposefully.
What advice do you find most meaningful?
Allow people to shine in their areas of strength.
What brings you joy?
Seeing my family thriving and content brings me the most happiness at home. At work, it’s watching team members achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
What drives you professionally?
My purpose is to create lasting impact. Generating innovative solutions is important, but true fulfillment comes from motivating and enabling people to turn those ideas into real-world achievements.
DeWitt High School
DeWitt, Arkansas, USA
(1988 – 1992)
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering
(1992 – 1997)
Stanford University
Stanford, California, USA
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
(2000 – 2002)
If your teachers were interviewed, what might they say about you?
They would probably describe Chris as a curious and diligent student with a well-rounded personality. His classmates voted him “Wittiest Student” of his graduating class.
What did you aspire to be as a child?
Growing up on a rice farm in southeastern Arkansas, I dreamed of becoming a farmer like my dad. At different points, I also wanted to be a police officer—like many kids do—and a comedian because making people laugh has always brought me joy.
Career
First Job
My first experience working came early—I began operating large tractors and inspecting rice fields when I was just ten. My father was a fourth-generation rice farmer, and that upbringing sparked my interest in technology and operations, ultimately leading me to pursue industrial engineering.
Walmart – Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
Logistics Analyst (1996 – 1997)
Accenture – Dallas, Texas, USA
Consultant (1997 – 2000)
McKinsey & Company – Dallas, Texas, USA
Associate (2002 – 2004)
Engagement Manager (2004 – 2006)
Associate Partner (2006 – 2008)
Partner (2009 – 2016)
PepsiCo – Dallas, Texas & Rogers, Arkansas, USA
Senior Vice President, Strategy, Frito-Lay North America (2016 – 2017)
Senior Vice President, Transformation, Frito-Lay North America (2017)
Senior Vice President & General Manager, Global Walmart Service Team (2017 – 2019)
Yum! Brands – Plano, Texas, USA
Chief Financial & Franchise Officer (2019 – 2025)
Chief Executive Officer (2025 – Present)
Views and Reflections
Do you believe in work-life balance?
Absolutely. Work-life balance is essential, even though I recognize that my role doesn’t fit within typical 9-to-5 boundaries. I focus on maximizing the quality of time I spend with my family—making each moment meaningful rather than letting it slip by.
Who has profoundly influenced your outlook on life?
Jimmy Wright
As a child, I spent countless hours working alongside Jimmy, a farmhand in his forties. Despite limited formal education and modest means, he possessed immense wisdom, humility, and positivity. Jimmy taught me early on that character matters far more than possessions.
My Great-Grandmother
After relocating to rural Arkansas, she began selling products door to door—something entirely new to her. Her determination and resilience continue to inspire me and reflect the leadership traits we value at Yum! Brands: leading with intelligence, compassion, and courage.
Sam Walton
During a college internship at Walmart, I was inspired by Sam Walton’s philosophy that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things” and that “the customer is the ultimate boss.” I still keep his book Made in America from that summer—it deeply shaped my leadership mindset.
My Sister
My sister’s journey was one of discovery and purpose. After teaching English in a small Costa Rican village, she returned to Dallas and founded Solar Prep, an all-girls public STEM school that continues to earn national recognition. Her passing in 2019, following a short but valiant battle with cancer, reminded me of her guiding principle from the book Chasing Daylight: to “chase daylight” and live each day fully and purposefully.
What advice do you find most meaningful?
Allow people to shine in their areas of strength.
What brings you joy?
Seeing my family thriving and content brings me the most happiness at home. At work, it’s watching team members achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
What drives you professionally?
My purpose is to create lasting impact. Generating innovative solutions is important, but true fulfillment comes from motivating and enabling people to turn those ideas into real-world achievements.
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