Should I buy QSR stock in 2025?

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At HelloSafe, our expert has been monitoring the performance of QSR for more than three years. Every month, hundreds of thousands of Canadians rely on us to analyze market trends and highlight the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. In line with our ethical charter, we have never received, and will never receive, any compensation from QSR.

What is QSR?

How much is QSR stock?

The price of QSR stock is rising this week. As of May 1, 2025, Restaurant Brands International shares are trading at $65.25, reflecting a 1.2% gain over the past 24 hours and up 2.6% over the last week. QSR’s market capitalization stands at $29.8 billion, with an average three-month trading volume of 1.9 million shares. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 20.52, delivering a dividend yield of 3.8%, and its beta is 0.74, suggesting lower volatility compared to the broader market. In today’s environment, QSR offers a balanced mix of income and stability, appealing to Canadian investors looking for steady growth amid market shifts.

Our full analysis on QSR stock

After a thorough review of Restaurant Brands International’s (QSR) latest quarterly and annual results, alongside an in-depth analysis of the stock’s trajectory over the past three years, an intriguing opportunity appears to be forming. By integrating financial performance data, live technical indicators, macro trends, and peer comparisons through our proprietary analytical framework, we have identified a set of bullish undercurrents unique to QSR. So, why might QSR stock once again become a strategic entry point into the North American consumer discretionary and global quick-service restaurant sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

QSR has demonstrated remarkable resilience within a challenging macroeconomic backdrop. As of May 1, 2025, shares trade at $65.25, having navigated a volatile 52-week range from $58.71 to $76.49. Over the past three years, QSR has outperformed many industry peers in terms of system-wide sales growth and international footprint expansion. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw system-wide sales rise by 5.6% year-over-year, with total revenues up an impressive 26.2%—a testament to robust brand performance and successful strategic initiatives.

• Dividend Growth: The quarterly dividend was raised to $0.62 per share, annualizing at $2.48 and providing an appealing 3.8% yield.
• International Strength: Global comparable sales grew 2.5% in Q4, with international operations registering a 4.7% jump.
• Market Resilience: Despite sector-wide headwinds, QSR’s beta of 0.74 highlights lower volatility versus the broader market, which resonates with risk-conscious investors.

This performance must be contextualized against a favorable industry environment. The quick-service restaurant sector is experiencing steady demand, aided by trends toward convenience, value, and digital ordering, while inflationary pressures begin to moderate. QSR’s asset-light franchise model offers durability during periods of economic uncertainty, reinforcing its leadership in the Canadian and international franchise landscapes.

Technical Analysis

From a technical perspective, QSR is at a critical inflection point. Key indicators provide evidence of consolidation, often a precursor to decisive price action.

• Relative Strength Index (RSI 14): Currently at 52.51, the RSI signals neither overbought nor oversold conditions—indicating room for upward movement should momentum build.
• Moving Averages:
• Short-term (5-day, 10-day, 20-day) MAs: Bullish alignment reflecting recent positive price action.
• 200-day MA: Price remains just below this long-term average of $66.52, suggesting any sustained move above this threshold could catalyze a new bullish phase.
• MACD: While technical platforms show a modest negative MACD (-0.39), this mixed reading is common at potential turning points, and further upside confirmation is feasible if near-term strength persists.

Notably, strong support is established at $63.30 and $62.78, providing downside protection, while immediate resistance zones ($64.24, $64.66, $65.18) are being challenged. A breakout above the $65–66 region could attract new buyers, especially as market participants anticipate catalysts from ongoing strategic initiatives.

Momentum remains favorable over the short-to-medium term, especially as technical structure shifts toward higher lows and tighter trading ranges—classic signals of accumulation.

Fundamental Analysis

QSR’s core fundamentals underpin the case for renewed interest:

• Revenue and Profitability: Q4 2024 revenues surged to $2.3 billion (+26.2% YoY), propelled by franchise growth and international performance. While net income declined to $361 million (from an unusually high $726 million Q4 2023 figure), underlying operating results and adjusted EPS ($0.81, ahead of Street estimates) underline stability.
• Attractive Valuation: The stock’s P/E ratio of 20.5 is notably reasonable within the consumer discretionary sector given QSR’s scale, international diversification, and dividend growth. The price/sales multiple and PEG ratios remain within historical norms, suggesting that current values do not reflect excessive optimism.
• Structural Strengths:
• Brand Power: QSR’s unique suite—Burger King, Tim Hortons, Popeyes, Firehouse Subs—spans multiple consumer categories and geographies.
• Franchise Model: With 95% of its 32,125 restaurants franchised, QSR enjoys robust cash flow generation, lower capital intensity, and stable margins.
• Market Share: Penetration continues to grow internationally and in key high-potential markets.
• Innovation: Ongoing investments in digital ordering and operational modernization fuel both case and drive efficiency.

When combined, these strengths create a platform for long-run growth, underpinned by an industry-leading dividend and sustained global expansion.

Volume and Liquidity

QSR’s liquidity profile is highly supportive of dynamic market participation. Average daily trading volumes remain robust, ensuring efficient price discovery and ease of entry or exit for both institutional and retail investors. The stock’s float and market capitalization of nearly $30 billion underpin its ability to attract capital inflows.

Sustained trading activity, especially during recent corporate announcements and dividend increases, reflects enduring market confidence and highlights strong institutional engagement. This liquidity is a key pillar for investors seeking clarity and stability in execution—even amid broader market rotations.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several imminent catalysts reinforce QSR’s optimistic trajectory:

• Restaurant Modernization: The “Reclaim the Flame” and “Royal Reset” initiatives continue to drive value for Burger King U.S., while digital enhancements—especially at Tim Hortons—bring further potential to unlock new revenue streams.
• Refranchising: The acquisition and planned refranchising of Carrols Burger King restaurants should streamline operations and lift margins.
• International Expansion: With a 6.1% increase in international restaurant count, QSR is leveraging high-growth markets with persistent consumer demand.
• Product and ESG Innovation: Menu innovation, digital investments, and ESG commitments (across packaging, sourcing, and community engagement) position QSR favorably among consumers and regulators alike.
• Macroeconomic Tailwinds: As inflation subsides and labor markets stabilize, QSR’s core value-focused offerings are well-placed to capitalize on any resurgence in discretionary spending.

Looking forward, QSR’s targets for 2024–2028 suggest:

• Comparable sales growth of 3%+
• Net restaurant growth of 5%+
• System-wide sales growth of 8%+
• Adjusted operating income tracking or exceeding top-line expansion

This consistent approach, coupled with a visible pipeline of multi-year investments and predictable capital returns, establishes a robust framework for compounding value.

Investment Strategies

For Canadian investors as well as international participants, QSR may represent an ideal entry point across multiple time horizons:

• Short-Term Traders: Technical proximity to strong support coupled with upcoming dividend dates and technical breakout potential above the 200-day MA provide attractive tactical trading conditions.
• Medium-Term Investors: The next 6–12 months include multiple catalysts—continued dividend increases, refranchising developments, and sustained digital rollout—that could support positive earnings surprises and multiple expansion.
• Long-Term Positioning: QSR’s durable franchise model, international expansion, and multi-decade brand strength offer a rare blend of growth and income. Investors targeting dividend growth, global presence, and defensive consumer exposure may find this an ideal portfolio anchor, especially given management’s clear long-term targets and capital allocation discipline.

Optimal positioning is arguably ahead of further news on the refranchising initiative or as momentum confirms a clear break above the 200-day moving average, aligning technical, strategic, and cyclical factors. Patience at current levels may be rewarded as the next round of results or dividend announcements serve as catalysts for rerating expectations.

Is it the Right Time to Buy QSR?

Bringing together the above elements, Restaurant Brands International presents a formidable investment proposition at this juncture:

• A diversified portfolio of category-leading brands.
• Resilient revenues and attractive, predictable dividend growth.
• Effective management and an asset-light, global franchise business model.
• Supportive trading volumes and a technical structure that is poised for a potential bullish reversal.

With a reasonable valuation relative to peers, a sustained focus on modernization and digital transformation, plus clear strategic visibility from management, the fundamentals justify renewed interest. The technicals, while mixed, offer attractive risk/reward, particularly for investors anticipating a new cycle of sector outperformance in QSR.

In conclusion, QSR appears exceptionally well positioned at the intersection of global consumer growth and defensive value. For investors seeking high-quality exposure to the quick-service restaurant sector, supported by a strong dividend and visible catalysts, the stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity as it appears to be entering a new bullish phase. Consideration of QSR at current levels may well prove prescient, as the company advances toward its ambitious growth targets and capital return commitments.

For those looking to balance growth and defensiveness in their portfolios, QSR offers an opportunity that warrants close attention—and may be ideally timed for entry as 2025 unfolds.

How to buy QSR stock in Canada?

Buying shares of Restaurant Brands International (QSR) online is a straightforward and secure experience for Canadian investors when using a regulated broker. You have two main options: purchasing QSR shares outright ('spot buying'), or trading via Contracts for Difference (CFDs), a flexible alternative. Both methods can be accessed easily online with just a few clicks and are protected by strict Canadian security and regulatory standards. The main difference lies in ownership: with spot buying, you hold the actual shares; with CFDs, you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset. Find our detailed broker comparison further down this page.

Spot buying

When you purchase QSR shares for cash through a Canadian broker, you’re buying and owning the actual shares, which makes you eligible for dividends and shareholder rights. Most Canadian brokers charge a flat commission per order—commonly around CA$5 to CA$10. For example, if QSR trades at CA$65.25 per share, a CA$1,000 investment (minus a CA$5 commission) allows you to buy roughly 15 shares (CA$65.25 × 15 = CA$978.75), leaving a small amount unused after fees.

Important scenario

Gain scenario: If QSR’s price rises by 10%, your 15 shares would be worth CA$1,078 (CA$71.78 × 15), for a gross gain of about CA$100—a +10% return on your investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading lets you speculate on the price movements of QSR stock without owning any actual shares. Instead, you make a contract with your broker to exchange the difference between the opening and closing price. Fees are typically based on the 'spread' (the difference between buy and sell prices) and overnight financing if your position is held beyond a day.

Example

With CA$1,000 and 5x leverage, you can control a CA$5,000 market exposure. If QSR rises by 8%, the underlying position gains 8%, and with 5x leverage your total return is 8% × 5 = 40%.

Important scenario

Gain scenario: This means a CA$400 gross gain on your CA$1,000 investment (excluding fees).

Final advice

Before investing, it’s essential to compare broker fees and trading conditions, as costs and product features can vary widely. Your choice should match your goals and risk appetite: spot buying favors long-term investors seeking dividends and ownership, while CFDs offer flexibility and leverage for short-term traders comfortable with higher risk. For a detailed comparison of Canadian brokers and their offers, please refer to our broker comparison tool below.

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Our 7 tips for buying QSR stock

The latest news about QSR

QSR announced a dividend increase from $0.58 to $0.62 per share, confirming continued shareholder support. This move, effective for the next quarterly payment on April 4, 2025, underscores the company’s strong commitment to returning value to investors and exemplifies the resilience of its cash generation, particularly important to Canadian shareholders who benefit from QSR's longstanding culture of regular dividend growth. With a current yield of 3.8% and a payout ratio of 72%, QSR’s dividend profile stands out in the Canadian market, offering a stable source of income and signaling management's confidence in ongoing financial stability.

Tim Hortons posted 2.5% comparable sales growth in Canada for Q4 2024, demonstrating robust brand performance domestically. This outperformance directly supports QSR’s market presence in its home country, reinforcing Tim Hortons’ leading status within the Canadian quick-service landscape. The brand’s ability to attract and retain Canadian consumers, even amid inflationary pressures and shifting consumer habits, highlights its market resilience and enduring appeal. Canadian analysts view this as a constructive signal, pointing to sustained demand and effective local marketing and operational strategies.

QSR’s “Reclaim the Flame” and “Royal Reset” initiatives continue to drive restaurant modernization and customer experience improvements. Over $133 million has been invested thus far in remodels, part of a broader $550 million plan primarily affecting Canadian and U.S. Burger King locations. These capital expenditures not only upgrade existing outlets but also reflect a long-term commitment to the Canadian market, fueling improved franchisee economics and customer satisfaction. The ongoing focus on modernization is expected to yield incremental sales and reinforce competitive positioning within Canada’s evolving QSR sector.

QSR’s Q4 2024 total revenues surged by 26.2% year-over-year to $2.3 billion, surpassing conservative analyst forecasts. This strong topline growth was underpinned by both domestic and international operations, with Canada contributing significantly due to Tim Hortons’ performance. The outperformance allowed QSR to deliver adjusted EPS of $0.81, exceeding consensus expectations. Canadian institutional investors, sensitive to global economic trends and local brand strength, interpret these results as supportive of both QSR’s growth trajectory and its risk profile.

The company’s international expansion strategy remains a key driver, with system restaurant count up 6.1% in non-North American markets. While this growth is global, it provides direct benefits to Canadian investors through increasing scale and geographic diversification, which dampen regional performance volatility. Moreover, QSR’s Toronto-based headquarters ensures that international successes and learnings have a direct spillover effect on Canadian operations, including franchisee development and digital innovation. This international momentum bolsters the long-term growth proposition for shareholders and fortifies QSR’s stature as a Canadian-based multinational leader.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.