Starbucks (SBUX) vs Yum! Brands (YUM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Starbucks (SBUX) has outperformed Yum! Brands (YUM) over the past year, gaining 16.5% versus a loss of 2.1%. Over five years, YUM leads with a +14.2% price change compared with -16.4% for SBUX. Starbucks is the larger company by market cap ($104.49 billion vs $39.60 billion), about 2.6 times the size, while Yum! Brands is growing revenue faster (+8.8% vs +2.8%).
On valuation, Yum! Brands trades at a lower forward P/E (20.9x vs 29.3x for Starbucks). Starbucks offers the higher dividend yield (2.71% vs 1.01%). Yum! Brands converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 19.0% versus 5.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | SBUX | YUM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $91.66 | $145.11 |
| Market cap | $104.49B | $39.60B |
| 1-day change | -1.66% | +1.47% |
| YTD return | +10.69% | -5.47% |
| 1-year return | +16.45% | -2.07% |
| 5-year return | -16.37% | +14.21% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 52.98 | 18.28 |
| Forward P/E | 29.33 | 20.95 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.73 | $7.94 |
| Dividend yield | 2.71% | 1.01% |
| Annual dividend | $2.48 | $1.46 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $37.18B | $8.21B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.79% | +8.81% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.86B | $1.56B |
| Gross margin | — | 69.77% |
| Operating margin | 7.90% | 31.34% |
| Net margin | 4.99% | 18.98% |
| 52-week high | $110.51 | $170.14 |
| 52-week low | $77.99 | $134.26 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.06% | -14.71% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.72% | +17.98% |
| Average volume | 7.28M | 2.48M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.14B | 272.90M |
| Employees | 381,000 | 49,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Starbucks is about 2.6 times larger than Yum! Brands by market value ($104.49B vs $39.60B).
- SBUX has outperformed YUM by 18.5 percentage points over the past year.
- Starbucks trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.0x vs 18.3x trailing P/E).
- Starbucks offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.71% vs 1.01%).
- Yum! Brands is more profitable, keeping 19.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.0 cents for Starbucks.
- Yum! Brands grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.81% vs +2.79%).
About Starbucks
SBUX stock →Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 381,000 employees
About Yum! Brands
YUM stock →Yum! Brands, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises traditional and non-traditional quick service restaurants in the United States, China, and internationally. The company operates in four segments: KFC Division, Taco Bell Division, Pizza Hut Division, and Habit Burger & Grill Division.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 49,000 employees
SBUX vs YUM FAQ
Which is bigger, Starbucks or Yum! Brands?
Starbucks (SBUX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $104.49B compared with $39.60B for Yum! Brands (YUM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SBUX or YUM?
SBUX returned +16.45% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.07% for YUM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SBUX or YUM?
YUM has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, versus 53.0 for SBUX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Starbucks or Yum! Brands?
Starbucks has the higher yield at 2.71%, compared with 1.01% for Yum! Brands.
Are Starbucks and Yum! Brands in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.