[AlbertC]

Coffee chain Tim Hortons to launch franchise in Korea - 매ì¼ê²½ì ì문ë´ì¤ íì¤(Pulse)

Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons is set to launch its franchise business in South Korea in April 2025. The worldâs second-largest coffee franchise aims to expand its footprint beyond company-owned st

pulse.mk.co.kr

Coffee chain Tim Hortons to launch franchise in Korea

Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons is set to launch its franchise business in South Korea in April 2025. The world’s second-largest coffee franchise aims to expand its footprint beyond company-owned stores, and it announced a goal of increasing its number of locations from the current 16 to 150 within the next three years.

According to industry sources on Thursday, Tim Hortons will begin recruiting franchise partners in April to mark a shift in its Korean strategy two years after entering the market. The company plans to focus on high-traffic areas in the Seoul metropolitan region for its initial rollout, followed by gradual expansion into other major cities and provinces based on market demand.

Founded in 1964 as a small coffee shop in Canada, Tim Hortons has grown into a global brand with over 6,000 stores across 19 countries. It ranks second in the world in terms of store count, trailing Starbucks with more than 40,000 outlets and followed by the United Kingdom’s Costa Coffee with over 4,000 locations.

Tim Hortons made its Korean debut in 2023 with a flagship store in Seoul’s Gangnam district, sparking a sensation that included long lines and “open run” crowds. The store sold around 300,000 donuts and 100,000 cups of coffee in its first month.

The company’s move toward franchising is aimed at overcoming the limitations of operating solely via directly managed stores. By leveraging franchise partnerships, Tim Hortons seeks to expand more rapidly and cost-effectively to solidify its position in Korea’s highly competitive coffee market.

Another driving force behind the shift is the popularity of the brand’s unique in-store preparation model. Unlike most competitors that rely on pre-made food items, Tim Hortons operates spacious in-store kitchens, known as “Tim’s Kitchen,” where donuts are baked and sandwiches are freshly prepared daily. This approach has resonated well with Korean consumers who value freshly made menu items.

Tim Hortons’ Korean operations are managed by BKR, a local food and beverage operator. With the opening of its 16th location at One Grove in Magok on Thursday, the company is now poised to accelerate its expansion through the upcoming franchise program.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Coffee chain Tim Hortons to launch franchise in Korea - 매ì¼ê²½ì ì문ë´ì¤ íì¤(Pulse)

Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons is set to launch its franchise business in South Korea in April 2025. The worldâs second-largest coffee franchise aims to expand its footprint beyond company-owned st

pulse.mk.co.kr

Coffee chain Tim Hortons to launch franchise in Korea

Canadian coffee giant Tim Hortons is set to launch its franchise business in South Korea in April 2025. The world’s second-largest coffee franchise aims to expand its footprint beyond company-owned stores, and it announced a goal of increasing its number of locations from the current 16 to 150 within the next three years.

According to industry sources on Thursday, Tim Hortons will begin recruiting franchise partners in April to mark a shift in its Korean strategy two years after entering the market. The company plans to focus on high-traffic areas in the Seoul metropolitan region for its initial rollout, followed by gradual expansion into other major cities and provinces based on market demand.

Founded in 1964 as a small coffee shop in Canada, Tim Hortons has grown into a global brand with over 6,000 stores across 19 countries. It ranks second in the world in terms of store count, trailing Starbucks with more than 40,000 outlets and followed by the United Kingdom’s Costa Coffee with over 4,000 locations.

Tim Hortons made its Korean debut in 2023 with a flagship store in Seoul’s Gangnam district, sparking a sensation that included long lines and “open run” crowds. The store sold around 300,000 donuts and 100,000 cups of coffee in its first month.

The company’s move toward franchising is aimed at overcoming the limitations of operating solely via directly managed stores. By leveraging franchise partnerships, Tim Hortons seeks to expand more rapidly and cost-effectively to solidify its position in Korea’s highly competitive coffee market.

Another driving force behind the shift is the popularity of the brand’s unique in-store preparation model. Unlike most competitors that rely on pre-made food items, Tim Hortons operates spacious in-store kitchens, known as “Tim’s Kitchen,” where donuts are baked and sandwiches are freshly prepared daily. This approach has resonated well with Korean consumers who value freshly made menu items.

Tim Hortons’ Korean operations are managed by BKR, a local food and beverage operator. With the opening of its 16th location at One Grove in Magok on Thursday, the company is now poised to accelerate its expansion through the upcoming franchise program.

I wonder if they'll hire exclusively from the subcontinent like its Canadian cousin?

 

[AlbertC]

Tims have opened their 40th store in India

Tim Hortons launches 40th store in India - India Retailing

The new Tim Hortons outlet is located at the Terminal 3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi

www.indiaretailing.com

 

[christiesplits]

Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands sees weaker spending as consumer confidence dips​

Tim Hortons parent Restaurant Brands sees weaker spending as consumer confidence dips

The company reported net income attributable to common shareholders of US$159-million or 49 cents US per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31

www.theglobeandmail.com

A dip in consumer confidence and broader uncertainty in the economy helped drive down first-quarter profits at Restaurant Brands International Inc., its chief executive said.

“Through the first few months of 2025, we’ve been navigating a highly dynamic macro backdrop, one that’s evolving differently across each of our key markets,” Josh Kobza told analysts on a conference call Thursday.

Kobza said the company, which owns Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, anticipated a softer first quarter and “believe that some of the macro noise may have driven further softness.”

The company seemed less worried about the impact of the Canada-U.S. tariff war on its cost structure.

 

[Fritter]

Tim Hortons operates spacious in-store kitchens, known as “Tim’s Kitchen,” where donuts are baked and sandwiches are freshly prepared daily.

So when are Canadian locations getting Tim's Kitchens back? Freshly baked donuts would be a nice improvement for the brand here.

 

[afransen]

So when are Canadian locations getting Tim's Kitchens back? Freshly baked donuts would be a nice improvement for the brand here.

Indeed. I can see how the commissary model makes sense for small outlets, and perhaps they want consistency (even if consistently mediocre) between outlets, but the frozen parbaked donuts are basically inedible.

 

[Richard White]

Indeed. I can see how the commissary model makes sense for small outlets, and perhaps they want consistency (even if consistently mediocre) between outlets, but the frozen parbaked donuts are basically inedible.

What Tims did for years was have satellite locations for baking.

Years ago, there was a Tim's at Brimley/Lawrence which baked cakes and pies for the local stores.

Minor baking (Macarons, Cookies) were done in individual stores. They also did end stage processing like cake decorating in store.

I recall visiting my grandmother in the mid 90s when she managed the Markham and Lawrence store. They had huge ovens and mixers in the back to actually make the products from scratch.

When they sold to Wendys they got rid of the pies and cakes. They also stopped making everything in store.