Yum Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell, has a history of grooming CEOs for the restaurant industry. Executives like Brian Niccol and Kevin Hochman have risen through the ranks at Yum before leading other successful chains like Chipotle and Brinker International, respectively.

Yum’s focus on leadership development has produced top industry talent, with past CEOs like David Novak and Greg Creed paving the way for executives to shine. The company’s commitment to culture and talent development has helped it become a breeding ground for future industry leaders.

Executives like Niccol and Hochman, who started their careers at Yum, have gone on to lead successful turnarounds at other major restaurant chains. Niccol’s success at Chipotle and Niccol’s leadership at Brinker International has led to significant growth and value appreciation for their respective companies.

Yum alumni have found success in various industries, with executives like Julie Felss Masino moving on to lead companies like Cracker Barrel after leaving Taco Bell. The competitive nature of the restaurant industry means that internal talent often has to leave to take the next step in their careers.

Yum’s influence extends beyond the restaurant industry, with executives like Tarun Lal moving from KFC U.S. to lead Dave & Buster’s. The company’s emphasis on operations and talent development has created a pipeline of executives who go on to lead other successful businesses.

Read more at CNBC: CEO training ground for the restaurant industry