By Maria Armental 

Yum Brands Inc. is setting aside $1 billion for possible share buybacks through May 31, 2016, the company said Thursday.

Separately, the Louisville, Ky., restaurant operator that owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell said Elane Stock and Greg Creed have joined its board of directors.

Mr. Creed, a 20-year veteran of Yum who has been the chief executive of Taco Bell since early 2011, is set to take over Yum's top post on Jan. 1, succeeding David C. Novak, who will become executive chairman.

In September, Yum raised its dividend by 11%, citing substantial cash flow. A dividend of 41 cents a share will be distributed on Feb. 16.

Yum has increased its dividend at a double-digit percentage rate in each of the past 10 years.

Shares rose 1% in recent after-hours trading to $76.54. Through Thursday's market close, the company's stock was down 0.13% for the year.

Write to Maria Armental at maria.armental@wsj.com

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