Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons launching first UK branch this spring

Tim Hortons has over 3,801 restaurants across Canada, and claims to account for eight out of every 10 cups of coffee sold in the country. Image: Tim Hortons, Twitter

INTERNATIONAL -- Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons is opening its first UK branch in Glasgow next month.

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The coffee and doughnut company was acquired by Burger King in 2014 for over US$11bn. 

The Ontario-based holding company for both brands, Restaurant Brands International, currently has over 23,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. 

It dipped its toe into the UK market in 2007, through a deal that saw self-service kiosks placed in Spar stores, in a similar manner to those operated by US-based doughnut rival Krispy Kreme.

The company now has plans to expand its franchised outlets across the UK over the coming year. Details of locations are expected later in the year.

“We’ve witnessed phenomenal success in Canada, and wanted to replicate this in Great Britain,” said Gurprit Dhaliwal, chief operating officer of Tim Hortons for the UK and Ireland. 

Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 by former NHL ice hockey player Miles Horton and the company has become iconic, playing a major part in Canadian popular culture. 

“It’s hard to explain just how important Tim Hortons is to Canadians” said Mr Dhaliwal.
“It’s not just a restaurant, it’s a way of life”.

Tim Hortons has over 3,801 restaurants across Canada, and claims to account for eight out of every 10 cups of coffee sold in the country. 

US fast food brands continue to see the UK as an accessible market for European expansion.

Mexican-themed chains Chipotle and Taco Bell opened their first outlets in the UK back in 2010.

SOURCE Ben Upton, Independent