The Empire Club of Canada
Monday, November 6, 2023
Join Axel Schwan, president of Tim Hortons, Canada and U.S., and Duncan Fulton, Chief Corporate Officer at parent company Restaurant Brands International (Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs), for a fireside conversation about growing brand love, making quality improvements to its menus and accelerating openings at some of the world’s most iconic brands.
From introducing quality improvements to its menu, like freshly cracked eggs, to building market share in cold beverages and lunch and dinner menu items, Tims has driven positive momentum in the past few years through a journey of strengthening guest experience, food quality and franchisee relationships. 2024 promises to be another big year for the brand as Tims marks its 60th anniversary in Canada, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, and the 40th anniversary of Tim Hortons U.S.
Already operating in over 100 countries, RBI has had significant international growth across its four brands. Burger King France and Spain boast a bigger market share in the QSR space vs. its main competitor; Popeyes recently announced openings in five new countries; with over 1,000 international restaurants, this country’s beloved brand Tim Hortons is seeing Double Double growth globally; and Firehouse Subs opened its first restaurant outside of North America, in Zurich. RBI is also making inroads in its sustainability commitments related to its food, the planet, and people and communities. All part of RBI’s big dream to build the most loved restaurant brands in the world.
Jon Erlichman, Senior Anchor, BNN Bloomberg & Correspondent/Anchor, CTV National News, will moderate the discussion on topics including the progress Tims and RBI have made in recent years and their strategies for further growth in the quick service restaurant space.
*The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.*
*Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*
Jon anchors BNN Bloomberg’s daily programs THE OPEN and BLOOMBERG MARKETS. He is also a correspondent and fill-in anchor for CTV NATIONAL NEWS and he hosts the weekly program SIDELINES on BNN Bloomberg. Jon has a background as a scoop-oriented reporter, he is an accomplished interviewer of top global CEOs, and a digital innovator.
Duncan Fulton was appointed Chief Corporate Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc., in June 2018, overseeing global communications, North American franchising, government relations and ESG initiatives. Duncan also serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Tim Hortons Foundation. Prior to joining RBI, Duncan held several positions with Canadian Tire Corporation (CTC) from November 2009 to March 2018, including Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Chief Marketing Officer for FGL Sports and Mark’s Work Warehouse, and President of FGL Sports. Previously, Duncan was Senior Partner and General Manager of Fleishman-Hilliard from April 2002 to November 2009. Prior to his agency experience, Duncan served as a communication advisor and spokesman for several political leaders, including former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna.
Axel Schwan was appointed as President, Tim Hortons Canada & US in October 2019 after serving as Global Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons since October 2017. Axel first joined RBI as Marketing Director, Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2011 and was then appointed as Vice President, Marketing and Communications, EMEA for Burger King before advancing to the role of Global Chief Marketing Officer for the brand in January 2014. Prior to joining RBI, Axel led the Schwan family restaurant business, alongside his sister, and worked in various marketing roles at Unilever and Danone in Germany.
