Itโ€™s official. Burger King and Tim Hortons are combining to make the worldโ€™s third largest quick-service retailer.

Burger King will buy Tim Hortons, the Ontario, Canada-based coffee and donut chain, for $11 billion. The combined firm will have 18,000 restaurants in 100 countries and an estimated $23 billion in sales. 3G Capital, Burger Kingโ€™s parent company, will own 51 percent of the new company. But you neednโ€™t worry about changes to your Whopper or favorite cup of coffee โ€“ the two restaurants will continue to be managed as independent chains.

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Warren Buffettโ€™s equity firm Berkshire Hathaway is providing $3 billion to help finance the deal. Mr. Buffett announced Tuesday that Berkshire Hathaway will pay the US corporate tax rate on any money it earns from being a passive equity investor in the deal. . .