OAKVILLE, ONT. — Tim Hortons, the iconic Canadian coffee chain, is following through with plans to expand its global presence and reach new U.S. consumers. Restaurant Brands International Inc., the parent company of Tim Hortons and Burger King, said it has entered into an agreement to expand the Tim Hortons brand throughout the state of Minnesota.
Tim Hortons said the partnership with Restaurant Development Partners (RDP) is the largest U.S. agreement of its kind for the Oakville-based restaurant chain, and will include development commitments over the next 14 years.
While the agreement marks the brand’s first foray into Minnesota, Tim Hortons already has established a presence in the United States, spanning 650 restaurants across states such as Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Kentucky, Virginia and Indiana. The brand’s move into Indiana was announced in February of this year.
Tim Hortons said it believes its success in other states is a predictor of what it can expect to encounter in Minnesota.
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| Elias Diaz Sese, president of Tim Hortons |
“This development area shares many characteristics with other markets where we’ve been most successful in the U.S., representing a prime opportunity for the continued expansion of the Tim Hortons brand,” said Elias Diaz Sese, president of Tim Hortons.
Equally excited about Tim Horton’s prospects in the Minneapolis market is RDP, whose mission is to optimize the expansion of retail brands.
“We firmly believe in the Tim Hortons concept and brand and feel it will be well received in this market,” said Paul Durigon, chief executive officer of RDP.
Tim Hortons opened its first restaurant in 1964 in Canada. The multinational quick-service restaurant, known internationally as Tim Hortons Café and Bake Shop, currently operates in Canada, the United States and the Middle East.
