Variable Interest Entities - Summary of Assets and Liabilities of Variable Interest Entities (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,021.9	$ 1,803.2	$ 863.1	$ 786.9
Inventories and other current assets, net	198.7	194.9
Advertising fund restricted assets - current	44.4	53.0
Property and equipment, net	2,400.5	2,539.6
Other assets, net	936.6	530.4
Total assets	19,375.4	21,164.0
Other accrued liabilities	71.4	76.1
Advertising fund liabilities - current	40.2	45.6
Other liabilities, net	743.1	644.1
Total liabilities	12,561.7	13,543.8
Equity of VIEs	1,527.7	1,870.9
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred shares and shareholders' equity	19,375.4	21,164.0
VIEs [Member] | Restaurant VIEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	5.1	5.9
Inventories and other current assets, net	4.7	5.2
Property and equipment, net	8.7	10.7
Other assets, net		0.2
Total assets	18.5	22.0
Notes payable to Tim Hortons Inc. - current	7.6	8.9
Other accrued liabilities	6.3	7.8
Notes payable to Tim Hortons Inc. - long-term	0.3	0.3
Other liabilities, net	2.2	3.9
Total liabilities	16.4	20.9
Equity of VIEs	2.1	1.1
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred shares and shareholders' equity	18.5	22.0
VIEs [Member] | Advertising VIEs [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Advertising fund restricted assets - current	44.4	53.0
Property and equipment, net	46.4	53.1
Other assets, net	0.3	0.4
Total assets	91.1	106.5
Notes payable to Tim Hortons Inc. - current	10.4	11.4
Other accrued liabilities	0.2	0.1
Advertising fund liabilities - current	40.2	45.6
Notes payable to Tim Hortons Inc. - long-term	39.1	45.5
Other liabilities, net	1.2	3.9
Total liabilities	91.1	106.5
Total liabilities, redeemable preferred shares and shareholders' equity	$ 91.1	$ 106.5