Fast-food leviathan Yum Brands has begun discussions with a number of financial firms about selling a stake in its Chinese operation potentially nearing 20% as it pushes forward with plans to spin off the now slower-growing mainland business, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed sources. Potential suitors include several Chinese funds, as well as KKR & Co and Baring Private Equity Asia. Yum, which announced in October plans to spin China operations off to insulate itself from turbulence due to headwinds from local competition and food safety scares, appears set on selling no more than a 19.9% stake to avoid a large tax bill, the sources said.