As a Western New Yorker, I grew up going to Tim Hortons, and it’s a staple on long car rides and early mornings.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
I stopped at the original location, first opened in 1964, on a recent trip to Toronto.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
The restaurant had clearly been updated since it opened almost 60 years ago, but there was a photo of its original appearance on the outside wall.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Outside the entrance was a large statue of the chain’s co-founder and namesake, Tim Horton.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Horton, named one of the 100 greatest hockey players of all time by the NHL, continued his career while starting the channel.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Source: NHL
He died in a car crash in 1974 aged 44, just a decade after founding his eponymous channel.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Bearing the name of a hockey legend could be part of why Tim Hortons is loved by Canadians.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Tim Horton’s is best known as a breakfast destination, but its menu has grown to include lunch and all-day coffee and pastries.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
I had several iced coffees from the chain during my trip, and a medium came out at a reasonable price of $1.99 in US dollars.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Everything about Tim Hortons screams “Canadian pride,” right down to the maple leaf on the mug.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
There are actually more Tim Hortons restaurants than McDonald’s restaurants in Canada, from 3,928 to about 1,400, respectively.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Source: RBI, McDonald’s
The store I visited had a section of Tim Hortons products, like mugs and sweatshirts. The setup reminded me of Starbucks, which often has a similar product line.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
The layout was similar to other Tim Hortons restaurants I’ve been to, with display cases for baked goods next to the register.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
There is also a selection of sandwiches, and I chose an Impossible Sausage sandwich with egg and cheese.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
I’m not a vegetarian, but thought it was delicious and would happily order it again.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
On the side of the counter there were lockers to collect mobile orders. I’ve never seen this system before, but it seems like a potentially clever way to handle order pickup.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Unlike most Tim Hortons restaurants, this location had a second level.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
The second floor featured further dedications to the history of the place, including this plaque showing the opening date.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Tim Hortons remains popular under RBI, with more than $1.5 billion in sales in its last fiscal quarter.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
Source: RBI
I will definitely remain a customer, albeit rarely.
Mary Meisenzahl / Insider
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