Yum! Brands is facing slower growth in India on the back of the nation’s softer economy.

Yum! Brands says focusing on value and cost management are of increasing importance in today’s challenging market. And so is promoting synergies between brands.

The company, which operates KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, says it is accelerating synergies between the three brands to deal with the slowdown.

“We are using the same warehouse and distribution capabilities whenever we can. Other shared resources include functions in HR, finance, quality assurance, innovation and research,” says MD Niren Chaudhary of Yum! Restaurants India.

“Also, for developing new stores, the same team looks at aspects like real estate, getting projects done, buying equipment and so on. As we grow the business, this is a key shared resource.”

Yum! Brands remains optimistic about its long-term growth in India, and is targeting 1000 stores by 2015, compared with 597 as of June.

The company is also increasing its commitment to sustainability with plan to open more ‘green KFC stores’ involving the use of solar panels, recyclable materials, rain water harvesting and energy efficiency. It started embracing environmental sustainability when it opened a green KFC store in Chennai last year.