Which company owns the 'Burger King' fast-food chain?

Restaurant Brands International owns the “Burger King” fast-food chain.

Burger King began in Miami, Florida, in 1954 as Insta-Burger King, founded by Keith Kramer and Matthew Burns. After financial trouble, the company was acquired by David Edgerton and James McLamore, who rebuilt the business around the Whopper and renamed it Burger King.

The chain changed hands several times. Pillsbury acquired Burger King in 1967, and 3G Capital bought it in 2010. In 2014, Burger King merged with Tim Hortons to form Restaurant Brands International, usually abbreviated RBI. RBI is headquartered in Toronto and also owns Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs.

A common mix-up is confusing the brand owner with a local restaurant operator. Most Burger King restaurants are franchised, so individual franchisees may own and run particular locations, while Burger King Corporation controls the brand within the RBI corporate structure. McDonald’s and Wendy’s are competitors, and Yum! Brands owns KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell—not Burger King.