TORONTO, Aug. 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Restaurant Brands International Inc. (TSX/NYSE: QSR) ("RBI") announced today that it has filed, and the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") has accepted, notice of RBI's intention to renew its normal course issuer bid (the "NCIB") for its common shares (the "Common Shares"). The NCIB is being conducted in furtherance of RBI's current share repurchase authorization by the Board of Directors of RBI in August, 2016, pursuant to which RBI may purchase up to US$300 million of its Common Shares over the next two years (the "Repurchase Authorization").
The TSX notice provides that RBI may, during the 12-month period commencing August 8, 2019 and ending on August 7, 2020, purchase up to 24,853,565 Common Shares, representing 10% of its public float of 248,535,656 Common Shares as of July 25, 2019 (a total of 256,160,278 Common Shares were issued and outstanding as of such date). Purchases under the NCIB will be made through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") and/or alternative Canadian or foreign trading systems, if eligible, or by such other means as may be permitted by applicable securities laws, including private agreements. Any purchases made by private agreement under an issuer bid exemption order issued by a securities regulatory authority in Canada will be at a discount to the prevailing market price as provided in any such exemption order. Purchases under the NCIB made on the TSX will be made in compliance with the rules of the TSX at a price equal to the market price at the time of purchase or such other price as may be permitted by the TSX. In accordance with TSX rules, any daily repurchases (other than pursuant to a block purchase exception) on the TSX under the NCIB are limited to a maximum of 133,640 Common Shares, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX of 534,560 for the six months ended July 31, 2019. Purchases under the NCIB made on the NYSE will be made in compliance with Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 10b-18 and the U.S. federal securities laws.
Under its prior NCIB that commenced on August 8, 2018 and which expires on August 7, 2019, RBI previously sought and received approval from the TSX to repurchase up to 24,087,172 Common Shares. While RBI has not repurchased any Common Shares for cancellation under its Repurchase Authorization in the past 12 months, the plan agent under RBI's employee stock purchase plan purchased an aggregate of 4,311 Common Shares in the past 12 months for the benefit of plan participants at an average price of C$80.61 per Common Share.
RBI believes that the market price of Common Shares could be such that their purchase may be an attractive and appropriate use of corporate funds. Decisions regarding the amount and timing of future purchases of Common Shares will be based on market conditions, share price and other factors. RBI may elect to modify, suspend or discontinue the Repurchase Authorization, and its NCIB, at any time. Repurchases under the Repurchase Authorization will be funded using RBI's cash resources and all shares repurchased will be cancelled. RBI intends to enter into an automatic purchase plan to be effective on August 8, 2019 with a broker which will enable RBI to provide standard instructions and purchase Common Shares on the open market during self-imposed blackout periods. Outside of these blackout periods, Common Shares may be purchased in accordance with management's discretion.
About Restaurant Brands International
Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") is one of the world's largest quick service restaurant companies with more than ~$32 billion in system-wide sales and over 26,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and U.S. territories. RBI owns three of the world's most prominent and iconic quick service restaurant brands – TIM HORTONS®, BURGER KING®, and POPEYES®. These independently operated brands have been serving their respective guests, franchisees and communities for over 45 years. To learn more about RBI, please visit the company's website at www.rbi.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes forward-looking statements and information, which reflect management's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include statements about RBI's expectations and beliefs regarding its normal course issuer bid purchases. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from RBI's expectations are detailed in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities, such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K, and include the following: risks related to RBI's ability to successfully implement its domestic and international growth strategy; and risks related to RBI's ability to compete domestically and internationally in an intensely competitive industry. Other than as required under US federal securities laws or Canadian securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, change in expectations or otherwise.
SOURCE Restaurant Brands International Inc.
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