Tim Hortons doubles UK drive-thru estate in last 12 months

Tim Hortons currently operates 65 UK outlets and will launch a further 40 stores in the country by the end of next year | Photo credit: Tim Hortons UK

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons will reach a milestone of 50 drive-thru stores in the UK when it opens a new outlet in Watford on 28 November 2022. 
 

The new site opening means the company will have doubled its UK drive-thru portfolio in the last 12 months, with plans to launch at least another four sites before the end of 2022. 
 

Tim Hortons currently operates 65 outlets across the UK and will launch a further 40 stores in the country by the end of next year, including in Liverpool, Swansea and Dundee. 

“Our 50th drive-thru restaurant is a landmark opening for us as doubling our number of drive-thrus is not only a key milestone in our strong and fast-paced pipeline of openings this year, but it also supports our ambitious plan to grow at an even faster pace in 2023 with 40 new restaurants targeted. We have planned our site acquisition strategy carefully to ensure that we are securing as many drive-thru sites as we can in order to meet the growing customer demand for the additional convenience that they provide. We only see this demand growing, with people being time poor and seeking high quality, great value food and beverages at all times of day served at speed,” said Kevin Hydes, Chief Commercial Officer, Tim Hortons UK. 

The Canadian chain, which entered the UK market in 2017 in partnership with franchisee SK Group, opened its first London outlet in July 2022 and launched its largest drive-thru store in the UK in Manchester the following month.  

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 store if the format were more readily available. 

Founded in 1964, Tim Hortons now operates over 5,400 outlets globally. 

The coffee chain has also been targeting expansion in global markets this year, notably in China, India and Kuwait. Tim Hortons has achieved 26% outlet growth in international stores this year to date, opening 71 new stores in its third quarter to reach 1,506 sites.