Free cash flow
Restaurant Brands International Free cash flow decreased by 62.7% to $169.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 213.0%, from $54.00M to $169.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -2.8% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $448.00M | $486.00M | $435.00M | $224.00M | $417.00M | $374.00M | $375.00M | $77.00M | $362.00M | $408.00M | $356.00M | $122.00M | $291.00M | $485.00M | $404.00M | $54.00M | $411.00M | $531.00M | $453.00M | $169.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +8.5% | -10.5% | -48.5% | +86.2% | -10.3% | +0.3% | -79.5% | +370.1% | +12.7% | -12.7% | -65.7% | +138.5% | +66.7% | -16.7% | -86.6% | +661.1% | +29.2% | -14.7% | -62.7% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -6.9% | -23.0% | -13.8% | -65.6% | -13.2% | +9.1% | -5.1% | +58.4% | -19.6% | +18.9% | +13.5% | -55.7% | +41.2% | +9.5% | +12.1% | +213.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Restaurant Brands International's free cash flow?
- Restaurant Brands International (QSR) reported free cash flow of $169.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Restaurant Brands International's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Restaurant Brands International's free cash flow increased by 213.0% year-over-year, from $54.00M to $169.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Restaurant Brands International's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Restaurant Brands International's free cash flow has grown at a -2.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.62B to $1.45B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.