The Whopper of a Deal That Had People's Timbits in a Dither

Hello, everyone.  Welcome to another edition of FOODIE FRIDAY. 

And in this edition of the Foodie Friday post, we are going to take a look at a recent event in the world of food that has seemingly divided public opinion all across North America at least. 

When it comes to the subject of corporations, sometimes in order for a brand to stay relevant, it might have to impose some rather creative ideas in order to stay alive in the business world.

And sometimes, those ideas might involve a merger of some sort.

I think that most of you know where I'm going with this, right?

Earlier in the week, the news came that fast food hamburger giant "Burger King" purchased the Canadian coffee and donut chain known as "Tim Hortons".  And, who knew that such a purchase would create absolute chaos on social media?  More on that a little bit later.

But first, let's learn a little more about both businesses.  I won't go into too much detail about it because that isn't what this blog is about.

The Stats:

BURGER KING
Year Founded:  1953
Company Founders:  Keith J. Kramer and Matthew Burns

Company Location:  Miami, Florida

Revenue:  $1.97 billion

Net income:  $117.7 million

Total equity:  $1.175 billion

Employees:  34,248

TIM HORTONS:

Year Founded:  1964

Company Founders:  Tim Horton and Ron Joyce
Company Location:  Oakville, Ontario

Revenue:  $3.225 billion

Net income:  $424.4 million

Employees:  100,000+

And, just to put it into perspective on a local sense.

BURGER KING LOCATIONS IN HOMETOWN:  1
TIM HORTONS LOCATIONS IN HOMETOWN:  5

Now, with the purchase of Tim Hortons by Burger King, this deal will make Burger King/Tim Hortons the third largest fast food operator in the world. 

Of course, this news caused a huge storm of commentary on social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.  Many Americans took to their keyboards to protest the deal between Burger King and Tim Hortons, claiming that they were boycotting the Home of the Whopper because of the deal.  Similarly, in Canada, people were upset that a fast food giant with a rather creepy looking mascot was invading their territory to dip his fingers in the addictive double doubles that the chain is known for.

It was really shaping up to be a cross-border food fight with onion rings and honey glazed donuts flying across the sky.  It became quite brutal.

But why were people so upset?  I mean, if you look at the merger from a perspective of common sense, it doesn't appear that the move will really affect the products sold inside either location.

I certainly don't see Whoppers being served on a bed of Timbits, nor do I see Burger King imposing their coffee beans inside of the coffee makers scattered throughout a standard Tim Hortons location.  The companies will be linked together, but will still operate separately.  Tim Hortons will still sell their coffee, donuts, and delicious frozen raspberry lemonade drinks.  And Burger King will still sell bacon double cheeseburgers, onion rings, and french fries covered in cheese and gravy.

(Well, okay...the poutine may only be available in CANADIAN Burger King locations.)

And, the way I see it, this merger could be a good thing for Tim Hortons.  For years now, they've been trying to expand down south into the United States.  Maybe this could be the thing that Tim Hortons needs to open up some more shops - really give Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme some competition!

(Of course, I could be biased, since I love Tim Hortons donuts.)

The big argument that I hear on the Canadian side of things is that Tim Hortons will lose their Canadian identity by allowing Burger King to buy the company, and honestly, I think that's the wrong argument to have.  It would be like if I packed up and moved down to South Carolina.  I would become an American citizen, but I would never forget where I came from.  I am a proud Canadian inside and out.  I'd like to see Tim Hortons as being exactly that.

Tim Hortons to me is as Canadian as the beaver tail, the maple leaf, and the twelve feet of snow that the average Canadian winter gets.  Even if an American company takes it over, it will still retain its Canadian charm, its Canadian identity...and most of all, its Canadian coffee.

But that could just be my opinion.  What say you?