OAKVILLE, ON –Â Tim Hortons officially opened on August 24 its first restaurant in Kuwait on Saturday, marking the company’s 32nd location in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Canadian Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Ed Fast, served the restaurant’s first cup of coffee, after shooting a ceremonial puck onsite at The Avenues Mall in Kuwait City.
The expansion is part of the company’s international strategic plan announced in 2011, to open 120 restaurants in the GCC by the end of 2015.
“Together with our partner in the GCC, the Apparel Group, we are thrilled to celebrate the opening of the first Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake Shop in Kuwait,” said David Clanachan, Chief Operating Officer, Tim Hortons. “We have been warmly welcomed by our guests in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman and look forward to bringing the Tim Hortons experience to our guests in Kuwait City.”
Since opening the initial five UAE locations in December 2011, Tim Hortons continues to focus on growth in that region’s key cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The first official Tim Hortons drive-thru location is slated to open in Abu Dhabi this fall and more such opportunities are being explored. The company also entered Oman with two locations in 2012.
In February 2011, Tim Hortons signed a Master License Agreement (MLA) with The Apparel Group, to open 120 multi-format restaurants in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman in a five-year period.
“We are fortunate to have found as strong a partner as The Apparel Group to help us expand internationally within the GCC,” said Clanachan. “With their excellent reputation, knowledge of local real estate and impressive portfolio of global retail brands, we are confident our presence in that market will continue to flourish.”
