Great White North Franchisee Association appoints experienced executive director, continues to build support with Tim Hortons franchisees

Terrence Connoy (CNW Group/Great White North Franchisee Association)

Growing association provides united voice to address concerns of mismanagement under RBI ownership

TORONTO, April 6, 2017 /CNW/ - The Great White North Franchisee Association (GWNFA), an alliance of loyal Canadian Tim Hortons franchisees, announced today that it has appointed long time Franchisee Association leader Terrence Connoy as its executive director, effective immediately. Mr. Connoy's principal mandate will be to advance the Association's mission to serve as a united voice for Tim Hortons franchisees concerned about the increasing mismanagement of Tim Hortons franchise operations by The TDL Group Corp. (TDL) and its parent company, Restaurant Brands International (RBI) (NYSE: QSR, TSE: QSR). RBI was formed following the acquisition of Canada's Tim Hortons by U.S.-based Burger King Worldwide Inc. in 2015.

The GWNFA's immediate concerns regarding the mismanagement of Tim Hortons by RBI include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Lack of transparency in use of franchisee monies contributed for advertising / virtual elimination of local advertising and support.
2. Abusive exploitation of its procurement powers to expropriate franchisee profits.
3. Imposition of subjective performance metrics designed to enable expropriation without compensation.
4. Intimidation of franchisees and their employees.

These issues and others have adversely affected franchisees' ability to effectively run their operations and adequately serve Canadian customers. RBI's internal Advisory Board has proven ineffective under RBI in representing franchisees' interests, and impotent at influencing RBI's operational decisions.

"For over 50 years, the success of Tim Hortons in Canada has been driven by the hard work, passion and deep community engagement of its franchisees," said Mr. Connoy. "The GWNFA was formed to ensure this hard work and the iconic Tim Hortons brand is not further compromised under this new ownership."

"We are calling for a constructive relationship with RBI. The verbal commitments it has made to address several key issues that we have raised is encouraging, but ultimately valueless unless committed to writing. Tim Hortons franchisees – through GWNFA – need to stand firm and hold RBI to account on the many other issues."

"Above all, GWNFA's primary concern is that Tim Hortons franchisees are able to deliver on the exceptional quality, value and customer experience that the Tim Hortons brand has become known for – and Canadians deserve and expect," said Mr. Connoy.

Mr. Connoy led the Canadian Tire Dealers Association for over 20 years, where he played a key role advocating for Canadian Tire Dealers across the country. In his role with GWNFA, he will be responsible for articulating and advancing the interests and goals of the association's members in the context of a cooperative and mutually respectful relationship with the TDL Group and RBI.

Membership to the Great White North Franchise Association is open to all Tim Hortons franchisees that own or operate Tim Hortons franchises, except for those franchises that are owned or operated by, or affiliated with, TDL Group Corp. or Restaurant Brands International or its owners.

Franchisees who are interested in joining the Association or learning more can visit www.gwnfa.ca.

SOURCE Great White North Franchisee Association

For further information: Media Contact: Scott Thomson, Edelman, Ph. 416-909-2037, Em. [email protected]