MANILA, The Philippines – Coffee chain Tim Hortons, one of Canada’s well-loved brands, makes its first venture in Southeast Asia in the Philippines, opening nine stores initially over the short term.
Brought under a master franchise and joint venture arrangement via TH Coffee Services Philippines Corp. owned by hotelier Ricky Yap, Tim Hortons would officially open its first store in Uptown BGC tomorrow, February 28, to be followed soon by the branch on UN Square Manila.
Nian Rigor, public relations and communications lead of TH Coffee, in an interview said other branches will be in Eastwood, One Central in Makati RCBC Towers,
Venize Grand Canal, The Link Glorietta, Net Quad BGC, Insular Life, Ayala and Blue Bay.
Rigor said Tim Hortons would be built in full-store formats in buildings and in malls, targeting millennials.
Rigor said just like Canada, Tim Hortons in the Philippines would like to be known as the neighborhood café and bakeshop offering fresh coffee and delicious food.
“We want to position Tim Hortons as a second home. We understand the struggles of millenials, the stress and pressure (they go through). Here, they can begin and end their day with a smile,” Rigor added.
“We don’t think there is a place here which caters to needs of and focuses on the millennials who need to be rewarded, who need a refresher, a physical fuel,” said Rigor in comparing Tim Hortons Philippines’ strategy in the Philippines.
Rigor said unlike other foreign coffee chains, Tim Hortons would offer a wide range of beverages and food items, with menu offerings that are different each meal.
Rigor said TH Coffee would bring Tim Hortons’ distinct “double double” (double cream, double sugar) coffee, the popular Iced Capp blended frozen coffee beverage, the all-time favorites traditional doughnuts and their bite-size counterparts Tim Bits, sandwiches and healthy options and non-coffee coolers.
“In Canada, Tim Hortons was meant to be every person’s second home, a place where anyone could go at any time and feel at home,” Rigor said.
Founded in 1964 in Ontario, the 52-year old coffee chain has become one of the most influential brands as well as one of the most trusted coffee retailers in Canada.
