Although Yum! Brands (YUM -0.36%) was experiencing trouble with its operations throughout most of the world, China, of all places, was looking like a bright spot. After a disastrous 2013, when customers avoided its stores in droves, this year was looking like it would carry the load. Yum! had completely turned the business around and could concentrate on shoring up the rest of its operations.

Now disaster has struck once more in China, and it just could be a fatal blow for the casual-dining restaurant owner. In the following slide show, investors can learn what's befallen Yum! Brands and what that could mean to the company.