Tim Hortons butt kicked in US Northeast

[Turbodick]

As one of those people that has waited in line fifteen minutes for my double-double coffee at Tim Horton's I was surprised how dead Timmies was in the US Northeast. Actually, not really - I think the place is just overrated in Canada. With news that Tim Horton's is pulling about 200 stores out of that area I wonder why they couldn't work the magic they work in Canada?

(Mini Rant: WTF with drive-thru flunkies always grabbing my drink by the lid cover - where I will be drinking from?)

 

[Bean]

i hate the drive thru ppl................

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

With news that Tim Horton's is pulling about 200 stores out of that area I wonder why they couldn't work the magic they work in Canada?

It's quite simple, really. It's hard to imagine but Timmy's actually out-sucks Dunkin Donuts.

 

[CS Martin]

It's quite simple, really. It's hard to imagine but Timmy's actually out-sucks Dunkin Donuts.

OMG, we finally agree on something!! But, Timmy's still has more ways to barf you out!

 

[CWipes]

I think it's just because most people here in the North East grew up with Dunkin Donuts. Give it a generation for Tim Horton's to catch on.

- CWipes

 

[CLAVIE]

I know a girl who work at Tim Hortons, I went at her house before she will going to work, she made me a and I came on her Tim`s uniform

Tim Hortons is always fresh !!!

 

[lgna69xxx]

haha, your not helping Timmies with that little tale, Claive

I know a girl who work at Tim Hortons, I went at her house before she will going to work, she made me a and I came on her Tim`s uniform

Tim Hortons is always fresh !!!

 

[CLAVIE]

haha, your not helping Timmies with that little tale, Claive

When I seen her with her brown uniform, I already knew I will come on it symbolically for the first time with an uniform girl. I drink Tim's coffee practically every day, I'm always very happy to see the girls serve me with that same uniform

 

[sweetwater]

When I seen her with her brown uniform, I already knew I will come on it symbolically for the first time with an uniform girl. I drink Tim's coffee practically every day, I'm always very happy to see the girls serve me with that same uniform

I'm headed for Starbucks from now on.

Sweetwater

 

[EagerBeaver]

Turbodick,

I live in the US Northeast and in my opinion Timmy Horton's does not really offer anything that is not already available at the two firmly entrenched franchises here, Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. Dunkin Donuts appeals to the fast food/blue collar coffee shop crowd whereas Starbucks is slightly more upscale with specialty coffees, scones and other items not as diversely available as at DD. I do not believe that Tim Horton's is offering anything on their menu of items that constitutes new, different or extremely well priced value such that it will draw away the existing customer base of either DD or Starbuck's. Here is an article on why TH got their butt kicked:

http://community.nasdaq.com/News/20...onn-but-eyes-other-markets.aspx?storyid=44816

Personally, I prefer the smaller, trendy independent coffee shops of which there is one in my town that competes very successfully with with DD and Starbuck's. Their menu and ambience is more similar to Starbuck's, but their coffee is a lot better.

When I am in Montreal, I generally prefer Cafe Depot or Second Cup. I think Cafe Depot is making some amazing muffins. Last time I was in Montreal in October, I bought some muffins at the Cafe Depot on Notre Dame near the Intercontinental. I believe one of them was a Raspberry Yogurt muffin which was one of the tastiest fucking muffins I ever ate. They are making much better muffins than what is available at either Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks.

I actually think DD's coffee is OK and a lot of people like it, but the rest of their inventory is crapola. Like I said, I usually seek out the smaller independently run coffee shops that do their own thing and are not forced to adhere to rigorous corporate standards.

That being said, the other day while Christmas shopping I went to a Seattle's Best Coffee shop which was in a Borders bookstore (not sure if they have these in Montreal). They were serving a "Peppermint Mocha Trio" which was a combo of peppermint, hot cocoa and coffee topped with whipped cream and chopped peppermint candy. It was really very delicious, sort of a dessert coffee but one of the best I have had. If they have a Seattle's Best in Montreal you might want to give it a try.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

That being said, the other day while Christmas shopping I went to a Seattle's Best Coffee shop which was in a Borders bookstore (not sure if they have these in Montreal).

Beav, Seattle's Best is a subsidiary of Starbux, developed to compete in the downscale market against DD. Many of their stores are also located inside Borders and JC Penneys.

I'm in complete accord with you in preferring smaller independent coffee shops. I never go into a Starbucks, Cafe Depot, or Second Cup when a locally owned alternative is available. As they say, "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks."

 

[sweetwater]

Beav, Seattle's Best is a subsidiary of Starbux, developed to compete in the downscale market against DD. Many of their stores are also located inside Borders and JC Penneys...As they say, "Friends don't let friends drink Starbucks."

I only said I was headed for Starbucks in response to the thought of a CLAVIE cum soaked brown uniform. I personally steer clear of Starbucks. Even though Seattle's Best is part of Starbucks, I prefer Seattle's Best. Seattle's Best actually started on Whidby Island, north of Seattle as a local coffee and ice cream shop in the late 1960's, but was eventually bought by Starbucks to market as a more working class coffee. Honestly, TH has very good coffee. The best coffee is that that drips through the Bunn filter at home.
Sweetwater

 

[EagerBeaver]

I think they made the same mistake as Krispy Kreme. Krispy Kreme was all marketing extravaganza and when the smoke cleared, their product was not all that great. Actually, in my opinion KK was making smaller donuts that were inferior to Tim Horton's and Dunkin Donuts. What happened was that some marketing people thought that their clever marketing could sustain sales of a product that was not really that great. Tim Horton's also thought that marketing something different would work but after the smoke clears from the marketing blitz you are either left with new, original and/or cost effective product or not, and in both cases the "not" was exposed. We are not talking about an iPad here, fellas. We are talking about fucking donuts and coffee.

Marketing patriotism in the selling of products only seems to work with imported beers. I am not sure why that is.

 

[Man Spors]

IMO Tim Hortons is neither better nor worse than Donkin Donuts. Tim Hortons isn't all that special. That's not to say it's not good. But a lot of its success in Canada is it appeals to Canadian's patriotism. It's very evident in their tv commercials. They are selling a "Canadian way of life". It's not really about their products. Rather, Tim Hortons is selling the idea that they are as Canadian as it gets (i.e. one of the few brands in Canada not American), therfore buying Tim Hortons products makes one a good Canadian.

This is huge selling point in a country so desperately searching its identity under the shadows of the giant south of the border.

I knew Timmies were hugely popular in Canada. Many of my Canadian friends told me it was an Canadian icon. So I've tried it several times. They are allright, just like all other chains. I just fail to see what the fuss was all about. Therefore I conclude its success in Canada is due to patriotism. And it also explains its lack of success in the US.

Selling Canadian patriotism in Quebec? Have you ever been to this province?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Everyone will laugh but when i do drink coffee it's from McDonald's. Their new brand of premium coffee is actually surprisingly good & you can't beat the price. For nearly the same price you'll pay at Tim's, you get once size bigger. The large coffee is way too big for my tastes, though. So i usually take a medium & pay the same price i'd be paying for a large at Tim's. McDonald's also had a recent promotion where the coffee was free for a couple of weeks....you didn't even have to buy anything else to get your free coffee.....any size you wanted.

My choice of coffee prior to McDonald's was Tim's....why? I didn't use to drink coffee, but i like their sandwiches. The soups are okay, but i won't make a special run just to buy a soup. Being diabetic, i now stay away from the donuts or anything (as much as possible) that is made with flour, but once upon a time i used to like their glazed donuts.

My best buddy has tried to get me hooked to Starbucks whenever we're in Montreal or elsewhere, but i still prefer the other i mentionned over that one. Plus, i've found that Starbucks are way overpriced (and overhyped) for my tastes. To each his own.

 

[Top Montreal Escorts]

Funny before Dunkin Donuts was huge in Quebec but slowly Tim Hortons gained the upper hand and now we rarely see a DD the remaining ones are dirty and they lost their attraction they had back in the 80s. Maybe Tim Hortons people think they can turn the tide in the US also.

 

[lgna69xxx]

I am not a coffee drinker, but everyone i talk to has said TH is as good as DD, and im also not much of a donut aficionado, but overall when i have had their donuts and sandwiches, i have preferred timmys to dd. I have traveled alot in the US. and see many new Tim Hortons opening up and seems they are trying to get their piece of the market in the States. I wish them well, as a Leafs fan, Go Timmies Go!


PS. T Hortons Chili is great

 

[lgna69xxx]

damn, and i was getting you a dozen timmies honey crullers for the Holidays!.... gives new meaning to asking "excuse me, can i use your restroom , NOW!!!!!"

the worst diarrhea i ever had came from a tim horton's donut. i'm just sayin'...

 

[Turbodick]

Years ago there were people who got downright crabby if they didn't get their timmies. There were theories that there was some kind of a narcotic additive. I don't hear that anymore but no doubt there is a good amount of good old salt in the brew.

I don't know about the patriotism angle being why they were successful in Canada since the company was widely known to be purchased by a US company (Wendy's/?) for quite a stretch.

I still think the chain has something special. I recall some US relatives coming to a Tim Horton's in Canada when they were selling soup in edible bread bowls and a being all excited about the place. They always seem to be coming up with something new, but when you're getting the same products in a really dead US store it takes the sparkle away. It probably is those line ups I complain about that make people want to go there - the herd mentality.

I like McDonalds coffee better myself and especially their new lids where your lips don't have to touch the spot the server (who just scratched his butt) pawed.

 

[EagerBeaver]

where your lips don't have to touch the spot the server (who just scratched his butt) pawed.

You forgot to mention that the butt scratch came right after he picked his nose.