David Climenhaga shares some valuable insights on Tim Hortons and the raise in Ontario's minimum wage:
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/alberta-diary/2018/01/tim-hortons-brew-h...
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Tim Hortons massive fail
Tue, 2018-01-09 11:18
#1
Tim Hortons massive fail
Tue, 2018-01-09 19:10
#2
Personally, I'd love to see Hortons take their rightful place among other down-rent, stale donut coffee shops like "Country Time". Tim Hortons isn't poutine. It's not even a plaid shirt.
When I think Tim Hortons I think of some grouchy old man, like Oscar from Corner Gas, sitting in the back corner of his local Timmies, wearing his "Support the Troops" hat and nursing his double-double and holding court on how if women can wear a headscarf to the laundromat then the gays have won, and Kathleen Wynne will take all our good jobs.
It's going to take more than a sad commercial with some kid playing street hockey with his Dad's ashes to come back from this one.
Tue, 2018-01-09 23:33
#3
I once saw an advertising brochure for a bank, which for some reason was listing off supposedly typical Canadian things, one of which was "double doubles". Kudos to a company that can get another company to advertise its products for free.
That said, I have wondered if Tim Hortons is really something that Canadians are sentimental about, or if it's just sort of a chattering-class perception of what average folks like. I guess the company does make it a big part of their advertising, so they must think it has some impact.
Tue, 2018-01-09 23:57
#4
I once saw an advertising brochure for a bank, which for some reason was listing off supposedly typical Canadian things, one of which was "double doubles". Kudos to a company that can get another company to advertise its products for free.
That said, I have wondered if Tim Hortons is really something that Canadians are sentimental about, or if it's just sort of a chattering-class perception of what average folks like. I guess the company does make it a big part of their advertising, so they must think it has some impact.
I think it's chattering classes and advertising. Tim Hortons became way more Canadian after it was sold to Americans. It was never really great but I would say it has been sliding downhill for a long time.
I favor independents whenever I can.
Wed, 2018-01-10 07:50
#5
Wed, 2018-01-10 07:57
#6
I think it's chattering classes and advertising. Tim Hortons became way more Canadian after it was sold to Americans. It was never really great but I would say it has been sliding downhill for a long time.
I favor independents whenever I can.
I agree with all that.
And they need to be unionized. Everyone does. Workers united have power. As individuals, they have poverty.
Wed, 2018-01-10 20:03
#7
BTW, are they still making all the donuts in Winnipeg and then flying the out to the rest of the country?
Thu, 2018-01-11 07:47
#8
alan smithee
I guess its back to the pubs and bars if I want to sit and read something with a beverage. Theres so many Tim Hortons around town that it becomes inevitable to have a cup of coffee at 'Tim's'
Starbuck is over rated and over priced and I haven't set foot in a McDonald's since the 70's.
I know for sure I will not set foot at a Tim Hortons again..ever. And I will try to encourage others I know not to do business with Hortons.
It will be hard to convince them without pointing out somewhere else to go for coffee. My advice would be to brew your own coffee at home. Thats the only coffee I'll be drinking for the rest of my life.
I'm a cook so I am capable of cooking and baking my own food. I haven't ate out more than 3 times in the past couple years.
These corporations are no longer going to collect my money. It's bad enough that my cable,phone and internet and the hydro I need to heat my house is all corporate...most,I'm sure, I can say that I despise their politics (the reason why smart companies hide their politics) . They sort of got me by the balls. But I'll avoid any other of these anti-worker,anti-fair wage businesses. It's over. I hope others join me.
Thu, 2018-01-11 16:06
#9
This would be a good time to put together a National Independent Donut Shop registry.
Thu, 2018-01-11 17:41
#10
I think that, sadly, that would need to be a registry of mom and pop coffee shops that are open at 6am, serve breakfast sandwiches, sell a coffee for a buck and a half, and have a drive-thru.
Thu, 2018-01-11 18:47
#11
I think that, sadly, that would need to be a registry of mom and pop coffee shops that are open at 6am, serve breakfast sandwiches, sell a coffee for a buck and a half, and have a drive-thru.
Fair enough. You can be point person on this.
Thu, 2018-01-11 19:01
#12
It just so happens that I don't buy Timmy's coffe anymore. But once every few weeks I would go there in the evening and grab a few donuts for a snack for me and the kids. Like everyone else, I won't be spending a nickle there for some time!
Thu, 2018-01-11 19:22
#13
Fair enough. You can be point person on this.
Why me?, he asked, complainingly.
I'm just suggesting that those people who either don't care what Hortons does, or who do care but don't know how to show it, aren't just looking for a place that sells donuts. So a registry of other places that also sell donuts probably won't make them say "OK, I'm going to give my money to that other place that sells donuts". Ironically, donuts is probably the very least of it.
Thu, 2018-01-11 19:33
#14
I am lucky to live in a village where we have four independent coffee shops including a bakery that has been famous for its donuts for 50 years. No Tim's or Starbucks but plenty of ambiance for sitting around talking to friends. When it comes to a small town meeting place we have what Timmy's tries to claim they have.
Thu, 2018-01-11 20:26
#15
This kerfuffle is an MBA course case study in bad optics. Short of presenting financial statements proving financial hardship, the Joyce Jr.s will be punching bags for elitist stupidity.
In my previous lacklustre attempts at purchasing brand name franchises in the fast food industry, I came away with the knowledge that the franchiser makes the easy money via gross overriding royalties and 'national advertising funds' as a gross percentage, leaving operating costs to the franchisee. Generally, hands-on franchisees can squeeze a very good margin out of revenue and it is very difficult to cry poverty given the liquidity demanded by franchisers. The concern of course is that run away costs will affect the franchisee while the franchiser remains above the fray.
A minimum wage should be an entry level starting point, not a prop for poverty reduction. Successful business owners will treat it as an entry level, not a baseline to reduce costs. Investing in human capital has greater rewards than squeezing profits out of them.
Thu, 2018-01-11 20:39
#16
It's beautiful but the hours are very short. I do think Timmy's is a pretty easy formula to follow but it takes money to compete with the likes of Tim Hortons or MacDonalds on price, branding and familiarity. I bet a lot of Tim Hortons business comes from their highway stops and from people stopping while they are shopping or working. You always know what will be available on the menu and about how much it will cost you. They are placed conveniently in very high traffic areas, either foot or car. They will even have multiple locations in the same shopping centre if it's big enough. MacDonalds is in Walmart.
I am fortunate to live in the Plateau where I have access to all manner of independent establishments to choose from but a lot of places aren't so lucky. Food courts in shopping malls all seem to be chains.
The way I hear it only a couple of franchises were clawing back benefits not Head Office but Head Office refused to raise prices or lower food costs to the franchises.
I wonder if these chains overcharge their franchises on food costs.