Tim Hortons handed out pink slips to an unspecified number of employees on Tuesday.

A spokesman for the coffee chain said the company had to make difficult “but necessary” decisions.

“We greatly appreciate the service and contributions of all of our employees and are treating departing employees with the utmost respect, while providing generous and enhanced severance packages, continuing health benefits and outplacement services,” Alexandra Cygal, vice-president of corporate affairs, said in an e-mail.

Cygal would not say how many employees were affected by the job cuts but she did confirm the layoffs are “not just head office.”

U.S.-based Burger King bought Tim Hortons last year in a $12.6-billion deal that brought both brands together under the name Restaurant Brands International — now the third-largest fast-food restaurant company in the world.

Cygal said the decision to lay off employees came “as we reorganize our company to position ourselves for the significant growth and opportunities ahead of us.

“This comprehensive process has created tremendous opportunities for some of our employees in new roles and promotions,” she said.

The company’s headquarters will remain in Oakville, Cygal added.

The Financial Post reported last week that a “significant” number of the roughly 1,400 employees at Tim Hortons’ headquarters and regional offices would be let go.

As part of its purchase of Tim Hortons, Burger King gave the federal government an undertaking that it would maintain existing employment levels at the company’s outlets across Canada. However, Burger King provided no assurances about those who work at the coffee shop chain’s head office.

Burger King said instead it would establish the head office of the new combined company in Oakville and maintain significant employment levels there.

— With files from Reuters