Few companies brew a frenzy about Canadian identity like Tim Hortons. But this is a deal about financials, not sentimentality. Based on their 2013 annual reports, Here's a look at how Burger King Worldwide Inc. and Tim Hortons Inc. stack up.
*This number includes management, administration, and staff at company-owned restaurants. It does not include staff at franchises, which are independently owned. All figures are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Burger King
Founded
1954, in Miami, Florida by James McLamore and David Edgerton, both Cornell University graduates.
Headquarters
Miami, Fla.
CEO
Daniel Schwartz, CEO since July, 2013. A 33-year old Cornell grad, he previously worked on Wall Street.
Market Cap at Monday’s close
$11.4-billion(THI)
Revenue
$1.1-billion
EBITDA
$666-million
EPS
65 cents
Net Income
$234-million
Effective Tax Rate
27.5 per cent
Number of restaurants
13,667 (52 store owned)
Number of employees
2,420*
Signature product
BK bills itself as “the Home of the Whopper,” which launched in 1957. The quarter-pound burger costs $5.99, and has 670 calories.
Product flop
Satisfries, dubbed by the chain as a “better-for-you” french fry, dubbed by critics as Saddest Fries. They have been discontinued.
Celebrity endorsers
Salma Hayek, Jay Leno, David Beckham.
Did you know
In a 2011 coup, Burger King put their Tudor mascot “The Burger King” on the shelf in favour of celebrity endorsements.
Tim Hortons
Founded
1964, in Hamilton, Ont., by police officer Ron Joyce and Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Tim Horton.
Headquarters
Oakville, Ont.
CEO
Marc Caira, CEO since July, 2013. Formerly the CEO of Nestlé Professional.
Market Cap at Monday’s close
$9.9-billion, up 156 per cent over five years.(BKW)
Revenue
$3.04-billion
EBITDA
$714-million
EPS
$2.63
Net Income
$411-million
Effective Tax Rate
26.8 per cent
Number of restaurants
4,546
Number of employees
2,562*
Signature product
The double-double, preferably with a winning Roll up the Rim cup. A large double-double costs $1.70 (Canadian) and has 270 calories.
Product flop
A hash brown that was widely criticized for being soggy and lukewarm. In February the company tried a version that is 35 per cent bigger, and advertised as “crispy” and "golden.”
Celebrity endorsers
Sidney Crosby, and some Canadian politicians who want to appear “in touch.”
Did you know
According to the company, nearly eight of every 10 cups of coffee sold in Canada are at Tim Hortons.