Burger King is a publicly traded global fast-food restaurant chain best known for its flame-grilled burgers, including the iconic Whopper. The brand is headquartered in Miami, Florida, United States, and operates in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Burger King is not an independent standalone company. It operates as a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), which trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the ticker symbol QSR.
Burger King was founded in 1954 by James McLamore and David Edgerton. Today, the Burger King brand is overseen by the leadership of Restaurant Brands International. As of 2024–2025, Josh Kobza serves as CEO of Restaurant Brands International, having taken over the role in 2023.
Ownership Status of Burger King
There is no single private owner of Burger King.
Burger King is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc., a publicly traded company, meaning ownership is divided among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. Ownership stakes change over time based on stock market activity and regulatory disclosures such as SEC filings (13D, 13G, and 13F).
Major Shareholders of Restaurant Brands International (Burger King’s Parent Company)
| Shareholder / Entity | Approx. Ownership | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pershing Square Capital Management | ~8% | Investment firm founded by Bill Ackman; long-term shareholder (13D/13G filings). |
| Capital World Investors | ~6–7% | Large institutional investor managing global equity funds. |
| Vanguard Group | ~5–6% | Passive institutional investor via index and ETF funds (13F filings). |
| BlackRock | ~4–5% | Global asset manager holding shares across multiple funds. |
Note: Remaining shares are held by other institutional investors, mutual funds, and retail shareholders worldwide.
About The Josh Kobza, CEO of Burger King
Josh Kobza is a Canadian business executive and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), the parent company of Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs. He officially became CEO in March 2023, succeeding José Cil. Kobza has been with Restaurant Brands International since 2012 and has held several senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer (COO). Over the years, he has played a key role in global expansion, franchise operations, and improving profitability across RBI’s restaurant brands. His leadership style is often described as operations-focused and franchise-driven, aligning with RBI’s asset-light business model.
Josh Kobza Net Worth
Josh Kobza’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, as he does not release personal financial statements. However, based on executive compensation disclosures, long-term stock awards, and his senior leadership roles at a publicly traded company, his estimated net worth is believed to be in the low tens of millions of dollars. His wealth primarily comes from salary, annual bonuses, performance-based incentives, and equity compensation (restricted stock units and stock options) granted by Restaurant Brands International. As a public-company CEO, Kobza’s compensation details are disclosed annually in RBI’s proxy filings, but overall net worth figures remain estimates rather than confirmed amounts.
Key Shareholder Highlights
Restaurant Brands International’s shareholder base is largely institutional, with a mix of passive and long-term strategic investors.
- Pershing Square Capital Management, led by Bill Ackman, has historically played an influential role and is considered a key long-term stakeholder.
- Vanguard and BlackRock hold shares primarily through index funds and ETFs, reflecting Burger King’s inclusion in major market indexes.
- The company does not have a founder-controlled or family-owned ownership structure.
Recent Developments in Ownership
Recent years have not seen a change in control of Burger King or Restaurant Brands International.
- Ownership percentages continue to shift modestly due to routine trading, fund rebalancing, and institutional filings.
- No single investor holds a majority stake, and RBI remains firmly publicly owned.
FAQs
1. Who is the current owner of Burger King?
Burger King is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc., a publicly traded company. Its shares are held by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders.
2. Is Burger King publicly traded or privately owned?
Burger King itself is not separately traded, but its parent company, Restaurant Brands International, is publicly traded on the NYSE and TSX under the ticker QSR.
3. Who founded Burger King?
Burger King was founded in 1954 by James McLamore and David Edgerton.
4. Has Burger King’s ownership changed recently?
No major ownership change has occurred. Ownership fluctuates regularly based on stock market activity and institutional filings, but control remains widely distributed.
Discover more from Who Is The Owner Of
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.