20 Fun Facts About Tim Hortons
Looking for an ice‑breaker while you sip your Large Dark Roast? Impress friends—or the drive‑thru attendant—with these twenty bite‑sized facts about the legendary Canadian coffee shop that began as one rink‑side dream and grew into a worldwide caffeine force.
1. It All Started on the Ice
Tim Hortons was co‑founded in 1964 by NHL defenceman Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton and Montréal businessman Jim Charade. Horton often skated a full game, then personally checked in on his Hamilton, Ontario store after midnight. Talk about overtime.
2. The Original Doughnut Duo
The first two signature doughnuts were the Apple Fritter and the Dutchie (a raisin‑packed square). They stayed on the menu for over 50 years before retiring in 2021—proof that classics really do age well.
3. Timbits Turned 49 in 2025
Those poppable doughnut holes debuted in 1976. Tim Hortons now sells more than two billion Timbits every single year—enough to give every person on Earth a couple of bites.
4. Trademarked Canadian Lingo
Order a coffee with “Double‑Double” (two creams, two sugars) anywhere in Canada and you’ll get exactly what you want—because Tim Hortons trademarked the phrase back in 2004.
5. Bigger Than the Golden Arches—Here, at Least
Canada boasts more Tim Hortons than McDonald’s—by almost double. Some small towns host multiple Tims before they ever land their first Starbucks.
6. 5,700‑Plus Cafés and Counting
As of spring 2025, the brand operates in 14 countries with over 5,700 locations. Along with Canada and the United States, you’ll find Tims in the UK, China, Thailand, Mexico, India, and the Middle East.
7. Roll Up the Rim, Then Tap to Win
The famous “Roll Up the Rim to Win” contest launched in 1986, inspiring generations to shred their cup lips searching for “Please Play Again” messages. In 2021 it went mostly digital as Roll Up to Win, letting app users swipe for prizes instead of unrolling soggy cardboard.
8. Iconic Iced Capp Invention
The frosty, slush‑style Iced Capp landed in 1999 and quickly became the chain’s top‑selling cold beverage. Tims now spins seasonal versions like Oreo, Nutella, and pumpkin spice.
9. Hockey Roots Run Deep
Tim Horton’s #7 jersey is retired by the Buffalo Sabres, and his #12 by the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate. The company still sponsors Timbits Minor Hockey, outfitting more than 100,000 Canadian kids each year.
10. From Donuts to Burgers—Sort Of
In 2014, Tim Hortons merged with Burger King to form Restaurant Brands International (RBI). RBI also owns Popeyes and Firehouse Subs, giving your Double‑Double some flame‑broiled siblings.
11. Loyalty Points for the Win
The Tims Rewards program launched nationwide in 2019. By 2025, over 12 million Canadians—roughly one‑third of the country—scan the app for free coffees, breakfast sandwiches, and exclusive merch drops.
12. Justin Bieber Helped Reinvent Timbits
In late 2021, “Timbiebs” arrived: three limited‑edition doughnut‑hole flavours (Chocolate White Fudge, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip, and Birthday Cake Waffle) plus a branded fanny pack. The collaboration boosted Tim Hortons’ search traffic by 700 percent overnight.
13. More Coffee Than the Arctic Circle
Canada’s northernmost Tim Hortons operates in Iqaluit, Nunavut—proving that even sub‑zero temperatures can’t freeze a craving for a hot coffee and a Boston Cream.
14. The “Double Doughnut” Building
The original Hamilton store now hosts a small Tim Hortons museum filled with vintage uniforms, coffee tins, and Horton’s actual skates. Yes, there’s a life‑size coffee‑cup sculpture out front.
15. Cold Brew Came Late but Hit Hard
While rivals launched Cold Brew around 2015, Tims didn’t roll it out nationally until 2021. Within two years, Cold Brew accounted for one out of every five cold coffees sold.
16. Coffee by the Barrel
Tims brews roughly two billion cups of coffee annually—enough to fill more than 3,200 Olympic‑size swimming pools. If you stacked the cups, they’d stretch from Earth to the International Space Station and back several times.
17. Secret Menu Shout‑Out
Ask nicely and many baristas will make a “Maple Latte” (add two shots of maple syrup) or the legendary “Coffee Crisp” Iced Capp (mix of mocha and vanilla). It’s not on the board, but regulars know.
18. Baked Goods Go Abroad
In 2024 Tims opened its first Singapore ghost kitchen, offering delivery‑only coffee, Timbits, and even poutine‑inspired hash browns—proving Canadian comfort food travels well.
19. A Cup That Changes Colour
The limited‑edition Red Nose Day thermal mug (released annually each December) turns bright crimson when filled with hot liquid, raising both awareness and funds for children’s charities.
20. One Small Café, One Giant Legacy
Tim Horton tragically died in a car accident in 1974, only a decade after opening his first shop. Yet the company he left behind is now valued at over CA$12 billion, making his name as synonymous with Canadian coffee as Wayne Gretzky’s is with hockey.
Final Sip
From trademarked coffee lingo to space‑filling cup stats, Tim Hortons is more than just a pit stop on the 401. It’s a cultural cornerstone, a minor‑hockey sponsor, a marketing machine, and, above all, a place where neighbours gather—whether that’s in Winnipeg, Wuhan, or Windsor. Next time you snag a Chocolate Dip, drop one of these fun facts and watch fellow Tims fans perk up faster than a freshly brewed Dark Roast.
