Tim Hortons parent RBI names new chief corporate officer

Appointment of ex-Canadian Tire exec comes as company faces franchisee challenges

OAKVILLE— Restaurant Brands International Inc., the parent company of Tim Hortons, has named Duncan Fulton as its chief corporate officer, effective immediately.

Fulton was president of Canadian Tire’s FGL Sports Ltd. group until this year. He was previously senior vice-presi- dent for communications.

He also brings a wealth of political experience. Fulton served as an adviser and spokesperson for former prime minister Jean Chrétien.

Fulton joins RBI at a time when the company faces a number of issues.

RBI has been fighting with disgruntled Tim Hortons franchi- sees on several fronts, including the alleged misuse of a national advertising fund and a $700million renovation plan to spruce up restaurants.

The Great White North Franchisee Association, which claims to represent about half of Canada’s Tim Hortons franchisees, also wrote to Ottawa earlier this year alleging that RBI failed to live up to promises made under the Investment Canada Act in 2014.

RBI chief executive Daniel Schwartz said Fulton brings an “impressive track record.”

“His skills as a brand leader, digital innovator, communicator and his experience running a retail network and working closely with franchisees will be of great benefit to RBI and our growth agenda in the coming years,” Schwartz said in a statement.

“Duncan is also a well-known Canadian executive who will play an important role with our Tim Hortons executive team, in addition to his roles working with the teams at Burger King and Popeyes around the world.”