Didn't read the article, and this post is likely to slide off into obscurity, but here's what happened: they combined with Burger King into Restaurant Brands In

Didn't read the article, and this post is likely to slide off into obscurity, but here's what happened: they combined with Burger King into Restaurant Brands Int'l ("QSR" is the stock symbol) which is controlled by the 3G Capital. 3G Capital famously cuts spending/production costs to increase margins. They are unimaginative accounting hacks who kill business cultures, which was critical to Tim Horton's popularity (sponsoring junior hockey, fundraising, etc).