AWK vs QSR Comparison

American Water Works is the largest investor-owned US water and wastewater utility, serving nearly 4 million customers in 14 states. It provides water and wastewater services to residential, commercial, and industrial customers and operates predominantly in regulated markets. The company's nonregulated business is water services for military bases, which operates under long-term contracts with regulated-like returns. The proposed Essential Utilities acquisition would add regulated water and wastewater utilities in Ohio, North Carolina, and Texas while increasing its presence in Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

Restaurant Brands generates about $47 billion in system sales across more than 33,000 restaurants in over 120 markets, making it one of the largest restaurant companies globally. Its banners include Burger King (7,025 stores), Tim Hortons (4,586), Popeyes (3,578), and Firehouse Subs (1,449), concentrated in the US and Canada, with these brands also comprising 16,403 franchised international locations as of year-end 2025. The firm primarily earns revenue from franchise and property fees, supply chain sales within the Tim Hortons segment, company-operated restaurants, and advertising royalties.