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Tensions have reportedly run high at the chain’s Oakville, Ont., headquarters since executives formerly affiliated with Burger King and its majority shareholder, Brazilian private-equity firm 3G Capital, began moving into the corporate offices last month.

Less than two weeks after the takeover, two longtime Tim Hortons executives quickly resigned from their roles with the newly merged company, Restaurant Brands International Inc., including the president of Tim Hortons’ U.S. division, Mike Meilleur.

The new CEO of Restaurant Brands International is former Burger King CEO Daniel Schwartz, a former partner at 3G with a reputation for frugality. Tim Hortons’ new president is Elias Diaz Sese, former head of Burger King’s Asia Pacific operations.

“This is no surprise from 3G — this is what people figured would happen and have been waiting to happen, really,” said another source.

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Spending in all departments of Tim Hortons must now be approved directly through Mr. Sese, sources added, noting departmental spending has been frozen on several items, including office supplies and expedited shipping.

In addition to its headquarters in Oakville, Ont., Tim Hortons has regional offices in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Kingston, Ont., as well as a regional office in Ohio.

3G’s reputation as a ruthless streamliner has been honed through its purchases of Burger King and HJ Heinz Co., both of which saw layoffs and cost cuts after being acquired by the Brazilian firm. It has also won some big fans in the investment community: Since acquiring Burger King in 2010, 3G’s team has tripled the company’s profit margin to 61%. In 2013, 3G teamed up with investing guru Warren Buffett’s, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., to buy Heinz Co. in a US$28-billion deal.