Yum Brands says Micky Pant will replace Sam Su as CEO of its China division

Yum Brands is naming a new CEO of its China division as it works to reverse a sales skid in a key market.

The company said Tuesday Micky Pant, 60, is now the CEO of its China division. He replaces longtime leader Sam Su, who is retiring. Yum Brands also named new CEOs of its KFC and Pizza Hut businesses in China.

Yum brands has more than 6,800 locations in China, but the business has been damaged by bad publicity connected to poor food handling by a former supplier a year ago.

Su, 63, became president of the China unit in 1997 and has been chairman and CEO for five years. Su is also the vice chairman of Yum Brands Inc. The company says he will remain on the board.