The Canadian coffee chain is seeking to double the size of its current UK store portfolio and has opened its first store in London as it focuses on delivery, drive-thru and prominent brick-and-mortar locations
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Tim Hortons' first London store is a 4,209sq ft site with a drive-thru facility | Photo credit: Tim Hortons UK
Tim Hortons has announced plans to more than double its UK store portfolio by the end of 2023. The Restaurant Brands International (RBI) backed coffee chain will also seek greater visibility in the UK market by opening its first London location, a 4,209sq ft site at Park Royal with a drive-thru facility.
The Canadian coffee chain currently operates 51 coffee shops in the UK, including flagship stores in Birmingham, Belfast, and Leicester city centres, having entered the market in 2017.
In a press release, Tim Hortons said it would be embarking on the next phase of growth in the UK with a focus on drive-thru, delivery and key high street locations.
Highlighting the growing commercial potential of drive-thru in the UK, 57% of consumers surveyed by World Coffee Portal in 2022 indicated they would purchase beverages from a drive-thru if the format were more readily available.
“Our plan is to continue growing the Tim Hortons estate, both in London and nationwide, and along with this, we will likely trial new concepts to meet the needs of our ever-growing fanbase. We consider ourselves a real contender within the QSR sector and have ambitions to become the preferred brand of choice, no matter what occasion our guests are seeking to enjoy,” said Kevin Hydes, Chief Commercial Officer at Tim Hortons in the UK.
“We have a dedicated acquisition and construction team with us supporting our ambitious growth plan and we will be continuing to actively look for leasehold and freehold opportunities across the UK & Ireland,” added Hyde.
Tim Hortons’ push to expand in the UK comes as the branded coffee chain market has largely rebounded from the pandemic.
World Coffee Portal data shows the UK's £4.4bn ($6bn) market grew 43% over the last 12 months to regain 87% of pre-pandemic market value with outlet numbers now exceeding 2019 levels.
Founded in Canada in 1964, Tim Hortons currently operates more than 4,700 stores in North America and around the world as part of the RBI group of food & beverage brands.