Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)Founded 2014

Market Data Current As Of: September 12, 2026

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Restaurant Brands International Inc.

Quick Service Restaurants (QSR)Founded 2014

Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya

Last reviewed: September 12, 2026

Market Data Current As Of: September 12, 2026

Company History

Restaurant Brands International: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones

Founded 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Founding Story

Restaurant Brands International was formed in 2014 when Burger King and Tim Hortons combined into a global QSR platform backed by 3G Capital's operating model.

Founders

Restaurant Brands International formation

James McLamore and David Edgerton

Burger King founders and legacy brand builders.

Tim Horton and Ron Joyce

Tim Hortons legacy brand founders and operators.

Al Copeland

Popeyes founder and legacy brand creator.

Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen

Firehouse Subs founders and legacy brand creators.

Key Milestones

1954

Burger King is founded

James McLamore and David Edgerton founded Burger King in Miami, creating the flame-grilled burger brand later owned by RBI.

1964

Tim Hortons begins

Tim Horton and Ron Joyce built the Canadian coffee and quick-service brand that later became central to RBI.

1972

Popeyes is founded

Al Copeland opened the Louisiana-style chicken brand that RBI acquired in 2017.

2014

Restaurant Brands International is formed

Burger King and Tim Hortons combined to form Restaurant Brands International as a multi-brand quick-service restaurant platform.

2017

Popeyes joins RBI

RBI acquired Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, adding a global chicken growth platform.

2021

RBI agrees to acquire Firehouse Subs

RBI announced the Firehouse Subs acquisition for $1.0 billion, adding a fourth brand to the platform.

2023

Joshua Kobza becomes CEO

Joshua Kobza became CEO effective March 1, 2023, succeeding Jose Cil.

2024

Carrols acquisition closes

Burger King completed the acquisition of Carrols Restaurant Group for about $1.0 billion to remodel and refranchise a large U.S. Burger King portfolio.

2025

System-wide sales grow 5.3%

RBI reported FY2025 total revenues of $9.434 billion and consolidated system-wide sales growth of 5.3%.

2025

Burger King China joint venture announced

RBI and CPE announced a China joint venture with $350 million of primary capital and a plan to grow Burger King China to more than 4,000 restaurants by 2035.

Major Acquisitions

Tim Hortons combination

2014

Create RBI by combining Burger King and Tim Hortons.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

2017

Add a global chicken brand to the RBI platform.

Firehouse Subs

2021

Add a sandwich brand with long-term unit growth potential.

Carrols Restaurant Group

2024

Gain operating control over a large U.S. Burger King franchisee to remodel and later refranchise restaurants.

Restaurant Brands International Company History FAQ

What are the defining historical milestones for Restaurant Brands International Inc.?

Since its establishment in 2014, Restaurant Brands International Inc. expanded from an early-stage venture into a recognized leader in Quick Service Restaurants (QSR), overcoming key market challenges.

What major strategic pivots shaped Restaurant Brands International Inc.'s evolution?

Over its history, Restaurant Brands International Inc. executed decisive strategic pivots toward scalable monetization and digital distribution, securing its current market leadership.

How has Restaurant Brands International Inc. adapted to recent industry disruptions?

By continually modernizing operations and embracing workflow automation, Restaurant Brands International Inc. maintains resilience through changing technological and economic cycles.

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Yum! Brands, Inc.Wingstop Inc.

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Explore Restaurant Brands International

Core profile pages, annual revenue records, and related research hubs for this company.

Founders

Restaurant Brands International formation

James McLamore and David Edgerton

Burger King founders and legacy brand builders.

Tim Horton and Ron Joyce

Tim Hortons legacy brand founders and operators.

Al Copeland

Popeyes founder and legacy brand creator.

Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen

Firehouse Subs founders and legacy brand creators.

Key Milestones

1954

Burger King is founded

James McLamore and David Edgerton founded Burger King in Miami, creating the flame-grilled burger brand later owned by RBI.

1964

Tim Hortons begins

Tim Horton and Ron Joyce built the Canadian coffee and quick-service brand that later became central to RBI.

1972

Popeyes is founded

Al Copeland opened the Louisiana-style chicken brand that RBI acquired in 2017.

2014

Restaurant Brands International is formed

Burger King and Tim Hortons combined to form Restaurant Brands International as a multi-brand quick-service restaurant platform.

2017

Popeyes joins RBI

RBI acquired Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, adding a global chicken growth platform.

2021

RBI agrees to acquire Firehouse Subs

RBI announced the Firehouse Subs acquisition for $1.0 billion, adding a fourth brand to the platform.

2023

Joshua Kobza becomes CEO

Joshua Kobza became CEO effective March 1, 2023, succeeding Jose Cil.

2024

Carrols acquisition closes

Burger King completed the acquisition of Carrols Restaurant Group for about $1.0 billion to remodel and refranchise a large U.S. Burger King portfolio.

2025

System-wide sales grow 5.3%

RBI reported FY2025 total revenues of $9.434 billion and consolidated system-wide sales growth of 5.3%.

2025

Burger King China joint venture announced

RBI and CPE announced a China joint venture with $350 million of primary capital and a plan to grow Burger King China to more than 4,000 restaurants by 2035.

Major Acquisitions

Tim Hortons combination

2014

Create RBI by combining Burger King and Tim Hortons.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen

2017

Add a global chicken brand to the RBI platform.

Firehouse Subs

2021

Add a sandwich brand with long-term unit growth potential.

Carrols Restaurant Group

2024

Gain operating control over a large U.S. Burger King franchisee to remodel and later refranchise restaurants.

Restaurant Brands International Company History FAQ

What are the defining historical milestones for Restaurant Brands International Inc.?

What major strategic pivots shaped Restaurant Brands International Inc.'s evolution?

Over its history, Restaurant Brands International Inc. executed decisive strategic pivots toward scalable monetization and digital distribution, securing its current market leadership.

How has Restaurant Brands International Inc. adapted to recent industry disruptions?

By continually modernizing operations and embracing workflow automation, Restaurant Brands International Inc. maintains resilience through changing technological and economic cycles.