Tim Hortons

What Tim Hortons does

Tim Hortons is a Canadian quick-service restaurant chain founded in 1964 and currently operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International (NYSE: QSR), having been acquired by 3G Capital in 2014. It is one of North America's largest restaurant chains with over 6,000 systemwide locations, including nearly 4,000 in Canada, 640+ in the United States, and additional franchised outlets in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, and Korea. The brand serves primarily Canadian consumers for core coffee and breakfast occasions, while pursuing value-oriented US expansion and Gen Z/millennial targeting in international markets such as India and Korea.

The core product portfolio centers on signature coffee beverages (hot and iced, 100% Arabica beans) and Timbits (bite-sized donut holes, 50th anniversary in 2026), with continuous menu innovation including Protein Lattes, Matcha Coolers, Protein Quenchers, TimBoost Energy Beverages, Korean-localized Iced Capp variants, and at-home Ready-to-Drink Iced Coffee products distributed through Canadian grocery retailers. The technology stack consists of conventional QSR infrastructure: a mobile Tims app, the Tims Rewards loyalty program with over 7 million active members, the Roll Up To Win digital and physical contest platform, and updated in-store equipment including Coca-Cola Freestyle touchscreen fountain dispensers and improved espresso machines. No AI/ML capabilities, proprietary models, or advanced technology differentiators are disclosed.

The business model is franchise-led, with over 1,500 restaurant owners (340 in Canada) operating the majority of locations and generating royalty and rent revenue streams, complemented by company-owned restaurant sales and a growing retail/grocery product line. Pricing follows a unit-pricing model with value positioning (entry items at $2–$3, combo meals around $4.99–$8.99), augmented by promotional campaigns and limited-time offerings. Customer acquisition leverages celebrity collaborations (Ryan Reynolds), community-based marketing (Smile Cookie, Timbits Sports, Foundation Camps), and a multi-year Team Canada Olympic and Paralympic sponsorship through Milano Cortina 2026.

Name

Tim Hortons

Legal name

Tim Hortons

Website

https://timhortons.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Tim Hortons is a Canadian quick-service restaurant chain and one of North America's largest coffee chains, operating over 6,000 systemwide locations across Canada, the United States, and international markets. It serves mass-market consumers with coffee, Timbits, and breakfast items through a franchise-led model, supported by a 7-million-member loyalty program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR)

NAICS

Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars (722515), Restaurants and Other Eating Places (7225), Food Services and Drinking Places (722), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (311920), Coffee and Tea Manufacturing (31192)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Coffee Chains & Franchise Cafes (THAFADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Drive-Thru Coffee Stands & Coffee Kiosks (THAFADAK), Espresso Bars & Coffee Bars (THAFADAD), Ready-to-Drink (RTD) Coffee (CRADAHAF)

Keywords

• Quick service restaurants
• Coffee chain
• Baked goods
• Breakfast sandwiches
• Restaurant franchising

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakville

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Restaurant Sales (Company-owned): Revenue from company-owned Tim Hortons restaurants through sale of coffee, food, and beverages directly to consumers at retail locations
2. Franchise Royalties and Rent: Revenue from franchisees including royalties based on sales and rent payments from over 1,500 restaurant owners operating 4,000 locations
3. Retail/Grocery Product Sales: QSR-branded expansion into grocery retail channels with ready-to-drink Iced Coffee products and Iced Coffee Syrups sold at Walmart, Metro, Fortinos, Sobeys, and No Frills

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Tim Hortons operates one of North America's largest quick-service restaurant chains, selling coffee, espresso beverages, donuts, Timbits (bite-sized donut holes), breakfast sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, and seasonal beverages through company-owned and franchised restaurants across Canada, the United States, and select international markets including India, the UK, Ireland, and Korea. The company also sells ready-to-drink iced coffee and syrups through grocery retail channels and operates a digital loyalty program (Tims Rewards) with over 7 million active members.

Product overview

Tim Hortons is a Canadian quick-service restaurant chain and one of North America's largest coffee companies, operating approximately 4,000 locations in Canada and over 6,000 globally. The company offers a unified product portfolio centered on coffee and baked goods as its core offerings. The product ecosystem comprises signature coffee beverages (hot and iced), Timbits (bite-sized donuts celebrating their 50th anniversary), donuts and bakery items, seasonal menu innovations (Matcha Coolers, Korean-inspired Iced Capp flavors, Protein Lattes, Protein Quenchers, TimBoost Energy Beverages), at-home products (Ready-to-Drink Iced Coffee and Iced Coffee Syrups available at grocery retailers), and the Tims Rewards loyalty program accessible through the Tims app. Supporting offerings include charitable initiatives (Smile Cookie campaign, Foundation Camps), youth sports programs (Timbits Soccer/Hockey with over 250,000 participants), the Roll Up To Win contest, and merchandise including holiday collections and pop-up stores. The company sponsors Team Canada through Olympic and Paralympic partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Timbits: Tim Hortons' signature bite-sized donut holes, celebrating 50th anniversary in 2026
• Roll Up To Win
• Smile Cookie
• Timbits Sports

Products and services

• Tim Hortons Coffee Signature hot and iced coffee beverages sold at retail restaurant locations to individual consumers.
• Timbits Tim Hortons' signature bite-sized donut holes sold individually, in packs, and in limited-edition 50-pack anniversary boxes. Available in flavors including Chocolate Glazed (most popular).
• Breakfast Sandwiches Breakfast sandwiches made with fresh-cracked Grade A eggs and English muffins, positioned at value price points around $3 in the US market.
• Protein Lattes High-protein hot and iced latte beverages with 20g and 17g of protein per medium serving, made with lactose-free high-protein dairy. Targeting health-conscious consumers.
• Matcha Coolers Limited-time summer matcha beverages in four fruit-forward varieties (Strawberry Ginger, Grapefruit, Mango Yuzu, Peach n Lime) crafted with ceremonial grade matcha.
• Korean-Inspired Iced Capp Flavors Korea-exclusive reimagined Iced Capp variants including apple mango bingsu and red bean bingsu, alongside Korean-inspired donuts and Timbits featuring traditional flavors.
• Protein Quenchers High-protein, lactose-free beverage options available in five fruity flavors targeting health-conscious consumers.
• TimBoost Energy Beverages Energy drink line available in Ruby Rush and Tropical Sun varieties, positioned as a new beverage category for the U.S. market.
• At-Home Ready-to-Drink Iced Coffee Ready-to-drink iced coffee made from 100% Arabica beans in three unsweetened flavors (Medium Roast Black, Vanilla, Caramel), sold through grocery retail channels for at-home consumption.
• Iced Coffee Syrups At-home coffee syrups in Cappuccino and Mocha variants sold through grocery retailers for at-home iced coffee preparation.
• Roll Up To Win Contest Annual promotional contest offering millions of prizes including vehicles, vacations, electronics, and food items. Features both digital app gameplay and the traditional Rolling Up The Rim cup format.
• Tims Rewards Loyalty Program Loyalty program with over 7 million active members, enabling digital ordering, reward points, digital rolls for contests, bonus rolls for reusable cups, and personalized offers through the Tims app.
• Tims Mobile App Mobile application enabling digital ordering, mobile payments, Tims Rewards membership management, and participation in promotional contests like Roll Up To Win.
• Holiday Meal Combo Holiday meal combo featuring Flatbread Pizza, sides, beverages, and collectible socks as a bundled value offering.
• TimShop Branded Merchandise Branded merchandise including apparel, drinkware, holiday-themed items, and exclusive plush toys available through pop-up stores and online e-commerce.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20 consecutive quarters of positive comparable sales growth
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• IGPminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 June 2026Global D2C multi-category gifting platform partnership for Father's Day campaign featuring digital films, exclusive merchandise, vouchers, and special offers at 30 selected Tim Hortons stores in India. Leverages influencer collaborations to scale regional outreach.
• Neo FinancialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 June 2026Ending Tim's Mastercard loyalty credit card partnership on October 1, 2025. Users being transitioned to Neo's in-house platform. Neo describes the Tim Hortons program as a relatively small portion of its business while launching four new direct-to-consumer rewards credit cards.
• Coca-ColacoreTechnology or Integration · 14 May 2026Tim Hortons rolling out Coca-Cola Freestyle touchscreen dispensers at select locations nationwide to drive combo sales. Partnership expands beverage offerings and enhances customer experience with touchscreen interface for drink customization.
• adidas CanadacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 April 2026Multi-year jersey sponsorship making adidas Canada the official jersey sponsor of the Timbits Soccer program, serving children aged 3-7 across Canada with annual participation exceeding 250,000 children. Adidas-branded jerseys distributed at start of May season. Collaboration aims to strengthen community-based youth sports programming.
• Ryan ReynoldsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2026Second collaboration with Ryan Reynolds launching Ryan's Signature Donut (Maple Butter Glazed) with new soft and fluffy recipe. Partnership also includes limited-edition T-shirt collection featuring artwork by children from SickKids and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, with proceeds supporting both organizations.
• Pet ValuminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 February 2026First-ever pet retail prize partner for Tim Hortons' Roll Up To Win contest. Offers 15 grand prizes of free dry dog or cat food for one year (valued at $2,040 each) and 17,000 $15 in-store e-gift cards redeemable at Pet Valu family of stores across Canada.
• SiriusXM CanadaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 February 2026Fourth consecutive year partnership for 2026 Roll Up To Win contest. Offers participants chances to win six months of SiriusXM subscription services and exclusive VIP experiences through Digital Rolls. Prizes include premium in-car satellite service or streaming access, plus five All Access VIP Experience packages.
• TFO CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026$41 million Coffee for Communities initiative led by TFO Canada with $20 million co-investment from Tim Hortons to support climate-smart coffee production and resilient supply chains, announced during International Development Week 2026.
• Canadian Olympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 20268-year National Partnership making Tim Hortons the Official Coffee and Quick Service Restaurant for Team Canada. Tim Hortons will serve coffee to Canadian Olympic athletes, coaches, and staff at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games and launch promotional contests, commemorative packaging, Tims Rewards offers for gold medals, and hockey card collection.
• Canadian Paralympic CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 January 20263-year Official Supporter partnership making Tim Hortons the Official Coffee and Quick Service Restaurant for Team Canada Paralympic Team. Tim Hortons will serve coffee at CPC events across Canada leading up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games and leverage digital and community channels to promote Paralympic sports.
• Restaurant Brands InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company operating Tim Hortons as one of four global QSR brands. RBI reported Q4 2025 revenue of $2.47B with Tim Hortons segment generating $1.14B. Invested $400M in Canadian store expansion for 2026.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dutch Bros: US-focused drive-thru coffee chain with strong loyalty and digital engagement, comparable to Tim Hortons' drive-thru-led model and a meaningful competitor in the US expansion markets.
• Starbucks: Global coffee-led QSR chain with comparable beverage and breakfast food offerings, loyalty program (Starbucks Rewards), and digital ordering via a mobile app - directly competing for the same morning-daypart coffee customer.
• Dunkin' (Inspire Brands): Coffee and donut QSR chain with strong US Northeast density and a value-driven morning-daypart proposition that directly competes with Tim Hortons on coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and donuts.
• Krispy Kreme: Specialty donut and coffee chain with comparable core SKUs (donuts, coffee) and similar franchise/retail expansion strategy, including grocery and convenience distribution of packaged products.
• Second Cup: Canadian coffee-specialty chain directly competing with Tim Hortons in the Canadian cafe-coffee category with comparable espresso-based beverages and loyalty program.
• Caribou Coffee: Specialty coffee chain with a comparable espresso-and-bakery menu and growing grocery distribution of packaged coffee, directly relevant to Tim Hortons' at-home and cafe competitive set.

Broad incumbents

• Burger King: Sibling brand under Restaurant Brands International, sharing back-office, technology, and franchise infrastructure with Tim Hortons; broad-line QSR that competes for share of breakfast and lunch occasions.
• Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen: Another RBI-owned QSR brand, offering a useful comparison for franchise and supply-chain economics within the parent company's portfolio, though operating in a different daypart.
• McDonald's (McCafe): Global QSR incumbent whose McCafe line competes with Tim Hortons in the morning coffee and breakfast daypart; broader menu and global footprint make it a powerful but non-specialized competitor.

Regional players

• A&W Canada: Canada-based QSR chain competing for the same Canadian morning and breakfast daypart as Tim Hortons, with a comparable value menu and growing coffee/burger focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TimHortons
• Facebookfacebook.com/TimHortons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tim-hortons

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tim Hortons