Toronto is home to a vast number of restaurants, cafés, and other eateries. However, various fast-food spots remain popular. Let’s admit it, sometimes you just want to eat something delicious and a little unhealthy. In today’s world, there are plenty of such places, and a metropolis with a population of several million is no exception. Our city has a popular fast-food establishment called “Tim Hortons.” It was founded back in the mid-20th century. Today, the chain sells coffee, doughnuts, sandwiches, egg breakfast muffins, and other fast-food items. Read more about this on the website toronto-future.com.
The Hockey Player’s Establishment
The idea for the fast-food restaurant came from hockey player Tim Horton. Initially, the fast-food spot was opened in North Bay, Ontario, in 1963. It sold hamburgers. Due to low demand, the establishment pivoted to doughnuts. By May 1964, a doughnut shop named “Tim Horton Donuts” was opened. This particular shop quickly became a local icon, renowned for its fresh baked goods and coffee.
Entrepreneur Jim Charade opened the fast-food restaurant alongside the hockey player. However, financial difficulties arose between the partners, and they couldn’t agree on how to move the business forward. That’s why Ron Joyce, a former police officer, bought out Charade’s share. It’s worth noting that it was Joyce who turned Tim Hortons into a franchising empire.
Tragedy struck in 1974 when hockey player Tim Horton died in a car crash. His business partner bought the shares from the hockey player’s family for $1 million. Thus, Joyce became the sole owner of the existing chain of 40 stores.
It should be noted that Joyce actively expanded the chain of eateries. Furthermore, he made coffee the company’s flagship product. Joyce also introduced the iconic “Roll Up the Rim” contest. Every year, millions of Canadians participate in this contest, hoping to win a car.
Development of the Fast-Food Chain
In 1991, the number of Tim Hortons locations reached 500. Moreover, Tim Hortons surpassed McDonald’s as the largest restaurant chain in Canada by number of locations. Just four years later, the company became part of the Wendy’s corporation. This allowed Tim Hortons to expand internationally.
By 2005, the chain accounted for 22.6% of all revenue in Canada’s fast-food industry.
In 2014, the Tim Hortons chain was acquired by Burger King for $11.4 billion. This led to the creation of Restaurant Brands International.
As of 2024, there are over 5,000 Tim Hortons locations operating worldwide. Experts note that the success of this fast-food chain lies in its ability to always “keep up with the times” while not losing its national identity. It’s a meeting place for Canadians, where they can grab a hot coffee, enjoy a tasty meal, and chat about sports, entertainment, work, and more. By the way, the company controls 70% of the hot beverage market in Canada.
It’s worth mentioning that Tim Hortons doesn’t stand still and is constantly adding something new. For example, in 2022, the company added breakfast sandwiches and vegan options. And in 2023, nitrogen-infused coffee was introduced.
Tim Hortons wasn’t the very first fast-food chain in Toronto. However, it is the first Canadian fast-food establishment to have grown to an international level. After all, Tim Hortons restaurants operate in 15 countries around the world. Canadians love Tim Hortons because it maintains a balance between Canadian traditions and international trends. And, of course, the vast network of restaurants makes Tim Hortons popular and convenient.
So, that’s the story of the creation and growth of the famous Tim Hortons company, which began its journey in Toronto as a small coffee shop. We hope you found our article informative and learned something new about your home city.
Do you like Tim Hortons? We look forward to your comments on social media.