What Does A Hortons / BK Merger Mean 4 Digital Signage?
Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief
With news in that Tim Hortons and Burger King may merge, what does an impending merger of two major users of Digital Menu boards into one, potentially mean for the Digital Signage industry?
Burger King is very likely the largest Menu Board Customer of U.S. provider SICOM, while Tim Hortons of course must be the the largest customer (full stop) of Cineplex.
With Burger King management in control of the merged companies (so they say), does that mean a change in Canada for Cineplex or does SICOM now have a competitor in Burger King?
August 26th, 2014 at 18:45 @823
If they operate, as expected, as independent brands, it likely means nothing. The cost of swapping platforms for 1,000s and 1,000s of screens would be much higher, i’d think, than any benefit gained from doing both networks off one platform.
I also know it is much easier to talk about switching providers than it is to do it, as there would probably be months spent doing a full transition -which means months spent paying two companies to drive one network.
That said, if either end-user is unhappy with the current state of affairs, then that could maybe happen down the road. You’d have to think when the execs from the blended entity get together for planning, menu boards will probably not top the integration agenda.
August 27th, 2014 at 00:43 @071
I agree with Dave, it likely means nothing. Couple this with the slightly scattergun approach of ‘some do/some don’t’ I’m not sure any of the franchises (BK) can be forced to take Digital Signage and IMHO the take up certainly in the UK has been weak.
My personal hope is that Tim Horton’s comes to the UK so that I can enjoy their Doughnuts again! Are they still just as good as I remember them? I think it was ’92 the last time I had one!
PS IF TH do come to the UK then I think they will go Digital! Cineplex if you need an install/maintenance partner we’d love to help (shameless plug!)
The UK also needs Dairy Queen, it’s been just as long since I enjoyed a Blizzard! 😀
August 27th, 2014 at 13:21 @598
No, Tim Hortons baked goods are not as good now, as they arrive at the stores parbaked.
August 27th, 2014 at 22:39 @985
Burger King is okay (I prefer Harveys) but DON’T MESS with my Tim Hortons!