DUBLIN, Ohio — Tim Hortons Inc. has begun serving its premium signature coffee, fresh-baked goods and variety of soups and sandwiches for the first time in New York City, a major market offensive that continues its ongoing U.S. expansion.
Tim Hortons has close to 3,500 locations in North America, including more than 500 U.S. stores. Tim Hortons restaurants sell about 2 billion cups of coffee annually and account for more than seven of every 10 cups of coffee sold in quick-service restaurants in Canada.
"Tim Hortons is eager to bring 45 years of success in coffee and baked goods to one of the most important markets in America," said Don Schroeder, president and CEO of Tim Hortons Inc. "Coming to New York City is a significant milestone in our U.S. expansion and we intend to deliver on our lasting commitments to speed of service, fresh quality products and great value."
Nine of the 10 locations in Manhattan are scheduled to open today, including stores on Broadway, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station and Times Square. Two locations will open in Brooklyn.
Tim Hortons' U.S. headquarters is located in Dublin, Ohio, and it has long-established roots in New York State. The company was founded in 1964 by NHL hall-of-famer Tim Horton, who played hockey for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres until his death in 1974. Tim Hortons opened its first U.S. store in Tonawanda, N.Y., in 1984 and the company's coffee bean roasting plant is based in Rochester, N.Y.
The 12 New York City locations are in addition to three other Tim Hortons locations expected to open in Manhattan in August. Those three will be opened in existing Cold Stone Creamery outlets as part of an ongoing test initiative to co-brand up to 100 U.S. stores with both Cold Stone Creamery and Tim Hortons operations.
The stand alone Tim Hortons were most recently Dunkin' Donuts locations and converted to Tim Hortons after Dunkin' Donuts terminated the franchise agreement.
