OAKVILLE, Ontario, and ATLANTA -- Restaurant Brands International Inc., which owns the Burger King and Tim Hortons quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands has reached an agreement to acquire Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. for $79 per share in cash, or $1.8 billion.
Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Atlanta-based Popeyes is the franchisor and operator of Popeyes restaurants. It is one of the world's largest QSR chicken concepts with more than 2,600 restaurants in the United States and 25 other countries around the world. Its global footprint will complement RBI's existing portfolio of more than 20,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories, which have more than $24 billion in system sales.
Popeyes will continue to be managed independently in the United States, the company said.
"Popeyes is a powerful brand with a rich Louisiana heritage,” said RBI CEO Daniel Schwartz. “With this transaction, RBI is adding a brand that has a distinctive position within a compelling segment and strong U.S. and international prospects for growth. As Popeyes becomes part of the RBI family, we believe we can deliver growth and opportunities for all of our stakeholders, including our valued employees and franchisees. We look forward to taking an already very strong brand and accelerating its pace of growth and opening new restaurants in the U.S. and around the world."
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals and receipt of a majority of Popeyes shares on a fully diluted basis in a tender offer to Popeyes' shareholders. Following the successful completion of the tender offer, RBI will acquire all remaining shares not tendered in the tender offer through a second-step merger at the same price. The companies said they expect the transaction to close by early April 2017.
Founded in 1954, the Burger King brand system operates more than 15,000 locations in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories. Almost 100% of Burger King restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees.
Tim Hortons, founded in 1964 by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton, offers a menu that includes coffee, specialty drinks, teas and smoothies; fresh baked goods; and sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. It has more than 4,600 restaurants in Canada, the United States and the Middle East.
Burger King and Tim Hortons merged in August 2014 and formed Oakville, Ontario-based RBI in December 2014.
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