Mr. David Shear reports

APPAREL GROUP AND FIREHOUSE SUBS JOIN FORCES AND ANNOUNCE NEW EXPANSION PLANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Restaurant Brands International Inc. subsidiary Firehouse Subs and the Apparel Group plan to develop and open more than 100 Firehouse Subs restaurants across the United Arab Emirates and Oman in the next decade as part of an exclusive agreement.

Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1994 by two brothers and former firefighters. The founders brought the culture of the U.S. firehouse to their food and guest experience. Now, in partnership with the esteemed Apparel Group, Firehouse Subs is set to elevate this experience even further on an international scale. Firehouse Subs is all about hearty portions, premium ingredients and heartfelt service with a commitment to public safety. The brand offers hearty sandwiches that have been perfected by its chefs using time-honoured recipes. Its chefs start by selecting flavourful meats, cheeses, and delicious bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They then take the meats, add cheese and steam it using its unique steam ovens to lock in the juices, preserving the authentic flavours and textures.

"We are very excited to continue our path to expand the Firehouse Subs brand across the world. Apparel Group has been a strong partner operating the Tim Hortons brand in the Middle East/North Africa region (MENA) since 2013, and we believe their extensive experience and expertise will bring numerous advantages to the brand's continued growth," said David Shear, president of international, Restaurant Brands.

Neeraj Teckchandani, chief executive officer of Apparel Group, said: "Firehouse Subs embodies a blend of authentic food and community spirit, and Apparel Group is honoured to steer this iconic brand's heritage into the thriving Middle Eastern market. As the region's culinary landscape continues its dynamic evolution, we see Firehouse Subs seamlessly fitting into, and elevating, the tapestry of food experiences here. Our proven track record in growing international brands in MENA, combined with the distinctiveness of Firehouse Subs, promises a synergy that is bound to set new benchmarks."

Today's announcement with Apparel Group marks a pivotal moment in Firehouse Subs' growth strategy across the world. This partnership follows the brand's recent successful launch in Switzerland, which is the first opening outside of North America, and an agreement to open in Mexico.

Under the visionary guidance of Apparel Group, Firehouse Subs is poised to further solidify its reputation in the global arena. The brand is a strong and growing player within the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sandwich category in the United States and has experienced significant growth in the last decade, boasting over 1,200 restaurants across the United States and Canada.

We seek Safe Harbor.