Canadian chain Tim Hortons has launched a franchise model in the UK as it looks to further expand its current portfolio of 75 locations.
The coffee and quick-service restaurant brand, which first began UK operations in Glasgow in 2017, has been named as one of the fastest growing businesses in the both the 2022 and 2023 editions of our Bakery Market Report. Last year alone, it added 31 new sites.
Following a five-year test and learn phase, which created a refined operating model and robust infrastructure, Tim Hortons said its team was confident to support new franchise partners open drive-thru or restaurant outlets nationwide. It will also help to expand the business from a strategic standpoint.
The company boasts over six decades of franchise experience, and currently supports over 1,500 franchisees in Canada as well as rapidly scaling businesses in China, India, the UAE, and Mexico.
Tim Hortons said UK consumer demand for its range of breakfast items, made-to-order sandwiches, freshly baked doughnuts, and beverages has remained high over the last six years. It claimed some fans had camped outside its restaurants for up to 40 hours ahead of opening, while describing the launch of its first London site at Park Royal in April 2022 as its most successful globally in the past five years.
“The reception to Tim Hortons here in the UK has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Kevin Hydes, Tim Hortons’ chief commercial officer of franchise in the UK.
“Serving our guests, the highest quality, range of beverages, doughnuts and made-to-order food that suits all parts has been our main priority, and now we also want to take Tim Hortons to more local communities across the nation at pace. We’re confident that our franchise model will be core to us achieving this goal,” he added.
Hydes noted that the chain was looking for expert operators from across the UK with a proven record of delivering brand standards, delighting customers and driving commercial growth. He also asserted that their strong market position – being the third largest coffee brand in the world – and their unique customer proposition of a beverage led, quick service restaurant would be of huge interest and would provide commercial value to franchise partners.
Founded as a single location in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964 by Canadian hockey player Tim Horton, the company now has more than 4,700 restaurants worldwide. It will also continue to open and operate corporate locations across the UK.
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