Summary of the Conference Call Company Overview - The conference call features Patrick Doyle, chairman of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), discussing the company's performance and strategies across its brands, including Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs [1][2]. Key Points and Arguments Business Performance - **Tim Hortons**: Recognized as RBI's largest business, with strong leadership and significant improvements in food quality and service speed. The brand has been performing exceptionally well, with increasing confidence in its future [3][4]. - **International Business**: Outperforming peers, with notable growth expected from Popeyes, which is anticipated to match or exceed Burger King's growth [5]. - **Burger King North America**: Identified as a "fixer upper," with ongoing efforts to improve brand performance through remodels and better franchisee engagement. Recent performance shows relative outperformance in five out of the last six quarters [6][8][11]. - **Popeyes**: The brand is experiencing rapid growth, with EBITDA increasing fourfold since its acquisition in 2018. The focus is on enhancing operational efficiency and service quality [9][80]. Franchisee Profitability - RBI aims to enhance franchisee profitability by setting cash flow targets, with goals of over $300,000 for Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Burger King. Tim Hortons is already achieving this, while Burger King is progressing towards it [12][14][16]. Consumer Insights - The health of the restaurant industry is closely tied to employment levels. As long as employment remains stable, consumers are willing to spend on dining out. Recent trends show some weakness in Canadian employment, but the U.S. market remains strong [18][19]. Development and Growth Strategy - RBI plans to achieve a net growth of 5% by 2028, with a focus on expanding Tim Hortons and stabilizing Burger King. The company aims for 400 new units in North America and 1,100 internationally, with a significant portion coming from Popeyes [21][30]. - The company is addressing challenges in Burger King China, having taken control to improve operations and find a suitable long-term partner [32][35]. International Expansion - RBI has successfully expanded its international presence, particularly in France, where it has grown to a $2 billion business since opening its first location in 2013. The company emphasizes the importance of strong local partnerships [67][70]. Future Outlook - RBI is focused on improving operational efficiency and achieving consistent growth in operating income, targeting an 8% growth rate. The company believes that achieving this target will enhance market confidence in its performance [86][89]. Additional Important Insights - The sentiment among franchisees has dramatically improved, with many expressing satisfaction with the company's direction and support [47]. - The company acknowledges the competitive landscape, particularly in the chicken segment, and is committed to enhancing service and execution at Popeyes to maintain its competitive edge [80][82]. - RBI is not currently looking to acquire new brands, focusing instead on maximizing the value of its existing portfolio [84]. This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the conference call, highlighting RBI's strategic focus on improving brand performance, franchisee profitability, and international growth while navigating challenges in specific markets.

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America system-wide sales reached $465 million, up 21% year-over-year [6][26] - Total members increased to 813,000, a 15% year-over-year growth [7] - Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was $116.2 million, a 16% increase from $100.3 million in the prior year [35] - The company reported a net loss of $62.5 million in Q4, compared to a net loss of $12.3 million in the prior year [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Franchise revenue for Q4 was $45.3 million, up 17% year-over-year, driven by increased royalty revenue [27] - Equipment revenue declined by 22% year-over-year to $12.7 million due to lower installation volumes [28] - Merchandise revenue decreased by 34% year-over-year to $6.1 million, attributed to lower sales volumes and price discounts [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America run rate average unit volumes (AUVs) increased by 9% to $668,000 [26] - Same store sales growth for 2024 was 7%, with Club Pilates leading at 12% [26][39] - The company ended the year with 3,233 global open studios, having opened 120 new studios in Q4 [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on building a senior management team to scale operations profitably and improve franchisee support [8] - Plans to enhance international presence, particularly for Club Pilates, with leadership in Europe and Asia [12] - Emphasis on innovation and data analytics to improve operational efficiency and member experience [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged operational challenges and the need for foundational improvements in 2025 to support long-term growth [18] - The company aims to reduce global studio closures to low to mid-single digits as a percentage of total open studios [42] - Management expressed a commitment to transparency and addressing legacy operational issues [16][86] Other Important Information - The company restated 2023 financial statements due to material accounting errors, but believes overall financial health remains intact [21][22] - Legal expenses increased significantly due to regulatory inquiries and potential franchise legal settlements [30] - The company anticipates a capital expenditure of approximately $10 million to $12 million for 2025, focusing on technology investments [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you help us understand the comp performance embedded in the 2025 system sales guidance? - The expectation is for mid-single digits comp growth, with Club Pilates historically outperforming [48] Question: Can you provide an update on the franchise recruiting process? - A new Chief Development Officer has been hired, consolidating franchise sales, real estate, and construction under one unit to improve efficiency [50] Question: What is the assessment of StretchLab regarding negative comps? - Management is actively reviewing StretchLab's model, focusing on improving labor qualification and local marketing efforts [56] Question: Can you clarify thoughts around studio closures? - The company is taking a conservative approach to underperforming studios, aiming for a healthier system overall [66] Question: What are the specific hurdle rates for assessing other brands? - Franchisee profitability is the primary focus, with a target of 20% to 25% EBITDA margin at the studio level [73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2024, global system-wide restaurant sales were $1.23 billion, down approximately 8% in constant currency, primarily due to an additional week of operations in the prior year [19] - North America comparable sales decreased by 4% in Q4, showing a 120 basis points sequential improvement from Q3 [19] - Adjusted operating income for Q4 was $37 million, down $10 million from the previous year, with an adjusted operating income margin of 7%, down from 8.3% in 2023 [24][25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company-owned restaurant revenue decreased by $18 million in Q4 compared to the prior year, driven by a decline in international and domestic comparable sales [23] - International comparable sales increased by 2% year-over-year in Q4, with strong performance in key markets like the Middle East [22][48] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America average unit sales were approximately $1.1 million in 2024, with a focus on increasing market share through strategic new restaurant development [14] - Internationally, nearly 200 new restaurants were opened in 2024, with expectations to open a similar amount in 2025 [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on core product innovation, enhancing marketing messages, and investing in technology to improve customer experience and operational efficiency [6][7] - Strategic priorities include franchisee profitability and operational excellence, with a goal to increase market share through new restaurant development [7][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about entering 2025, highlighting sequential improvement in sales trends and opportunities for growth despite ongoing challenges [5][6] - For 2025, the company expects system-wide sales to increase by 25% compared to 2024, with North America comparable sales anticipated to be flat to up 2% [27] Other Important Information - The company plans to invest up to $25 million in marketing in 2025, focusing on both corporate and franchise markets [12][58] - The loyalty program has been revamped, with approximately 50% of loyalty orders now redeeming rewards, up from 21% a year ago [13][90] Q&A Session Summary Question: Industry expectations for 2025 and performance relative to the industry - Management acknowledged a value-focused environment and expects the pizza category to be flat to slightly down, but believes initiatives in loyalty and marketing will help gain market share [37][38] Question: International growth and market penetration - Management emphasized a focus on nine key international markets, indicating that they are not near saturation and see significant growth potential [44][48] Question: EBITDA guidance and investment breakdown - Management outlined that the EBITDA guidance for 2025 includes significant investments in marketing and franchisee support, with a focus on balancing value perception and franchisee profitability [54][58] Question: Ticket improvement expectations - Management expects ticket improvement driven by a return to a traditional pricing strategy and new product innovations [71][72] Question: Operations and menu simplification - Management reported progress in simplifying operations by removing low-performing SKUs and focusing on core menu items to enhance pizza quality [80][81]