The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that on Wednesday, Restaurant Brands International disclosed that in 2024, the average Tim Hortons restaurant in Canada made $305,000 in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), a nearly 9-per-cent increase from the prior year. The Globe's Susan Krashinsky writes that while Tim Hortons restaurant owners still have not returned to the profitability levels seen in 2018, the 2024 number is a considerable improvement after average EBITDA declined to $220,000 in 2022. "Supporting our franchisees' profitability remains foundational to our success," Restaurant Brands chief executive officer Josh Kobza said on a conference call Wednesday to discuss the quarterly results. Some of those franchisees are now looking to expand, and the company plans to open more Tim Hortons locations in Canada in the year ahead. The company's fourth-quarter net income fell to $361-million (U.S.) or 79 U.S. cents in diluted earnings per share, compared with $726-million (U.S.) or $1.60 (U.S.) the year before. However, the 2024 decline was partly affected by a large income tax benefit in the fourth quarter of 2023. RBI's shares closed Wednesday at $93.93, down $1.62.