Tim Hortons, the beloved Canadian coffee and doughnuts chain, has already been winning the hearts of Americans since it opened its first U.S. store in Towanda, New York in 1984. Initially, the Canadian chain stuck to states that shared Canada’s borders, hoping to bridge the gap between doughnut lovers in the two countries.
Now, there are close to 700 locations in the U.S., with locations primarily in New York and Michigan. The brand is slowly moving into Texas, Georgia, Maine, and other states. Years ago, there were several Tim Hortons locations in Florida, but they all fizzled out. Now, the brand is eyeing Florida once again.
The company is planning locations in Port Charlotte, Bradenton, and Ellenton, with opening dates expected around 2026. And now, the company is eyeing the tourist-rich city of Orlando for an expansion. The Orlando Business Journal reports that Tim Hortons is interested in Orlando, and is currently seeking franchisees to partner with. Currently, there are no reports of any leases being signed in the Central Florida marketplace — though a Tim Hortons in Epcot’s Canadian Pavilion seems like an ideal first location.
Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 by Canadian hockey plater Tim Horton and Jim Charade. It has expanded to more than 5,700 locations nationwide and is a beloved institution in Canada. The shop sells doughnuts, coffee, and doughnut holes called Timbit, along with sandwiches. There’s even a location at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, which sells special hocket doughnuts.
