Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	May 02, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	YUM BRANDS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001041061
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		323,217,129
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018