Why is Time Hortons So Iconic In Canada?

Why is Tim Hortons So Iconic In Canada?
Yuki Kakazu May 16, 2018

“Have you ever been to Tim Hortons?” Most Canadians would say “yes”.

Tim Hortons is known as the largest quick service restaurant chain in Canada. You can see red signboards everywhere in Toronto. In the street, on the subway, at the office, even during ILSC classes at least one person grabs Tim Hortons’ coffee. If you go to Tim Hortons at any time, you can see many Canadians waiting to get coffee.

The day always starts with Tim Hortons.

According to investigating the market and consumer date site “Statista”, Tim Hortons was placed number five on the list of Canada’s most valuable brands in 2014. Why is Tim Hortons so iconic in Canada? Here are the reasons why people love Tim Hortons so much.

In 1964 a retired Canadian hockey player whose name was Tim Horton (1930- 1974) opened the first Tim Hortons in Hamilton, Ontario. Now they have 4,748 stores not only in Canada but also in foreign countries. There are more than 200 stores located in Toronto. Following one of their slogans “You’ve Always Got Time For Tim Hortons”, they are always by your side. The number of stores shows that Tim Hortons has much more stores than Starbucks in Canada. Starbucks is known as the iconic coffee shop in the world, but Tim Hortons play a role in the iconic coffee shop instead of Starbucks here in Canada.

Tim Hortons succeed in the marketing. Each February, they conduct a campaign called Roll Up the Rim to Win. First of all, you go to Tim Hortons and purchase any size of hot beverage. Then each cup contains a roll. After completing the drink, roll the rim to reveal inside the rim will be a “WIN” or “Please Play Again” message printed on the rim tab. If you get the “WIN” message it will describe the specific prizes including vehicles, televisions and store products. This campaign promotes consumers to purchase coffee. In 2008, over 88% of major prizes were redeemed.

Asking 5 Canadians what the most iconic Canadian brand is and they all answered; Tim Hortons and 3 of them had a Tim Hortons’ coffee in their hands. A Canadian said nowadays we had many kinds of coffee shops, but we came back to Tim Hortons in the end.

Tim Hortons sells coffee cheaper than other coffee shops. Tim Horton's original blend coffee the medium size is CAD$1.69. Starbucks’ caffe latte, tall size is CAD$2.95 and Aroma Espresso Bar’s latte, the medium size is CAD$4.25. This is one of the reasons why people choose Tim Hortons over others.

Have you ever customized your coffee at Tim Hortons? The most famous term is “double-double”. It will get you coffee with two creams and two sugars (or double cream, double sugar).  Interesting fact, “double-double” added to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, where it’s defined as “a coffee with double cream and double sugar added”. This is a good example of why Tim Hortons is a Canadian icon.

Canada is easily influenced by Americans because of its geographic location. That’s why “Canada is the birthplace” tends to strengthen Canadians’ attachment. Tim Hortons established Tim Horton Children’s Foundation in 1974. The foundation sponsors thousands of underprivileged children from Canada. With these donation activities, people raise more awareness to charities and Tim Hortons itself.

Why is Tim Hortons so iconic in Canada? Because they are always by your side!