Tim Hortons
Interested in selling your Tim Hortons NNN property or Tim Hortons ground lease property and wondering what you can get for it in today’s changing market?
Contact us for a complimentary broker opinion of value for your off-market Tim Hortons NNN property for sale or Tim Hortons ground lease property for investment, specifically tailored to support your 1031 exchange requirements. This valuable assessment will provide you with the clarity needed to make informed decisions regarding the sale of your Tim Hortons NNN property or the inclusion of a Tim Hortons ground lease property in your investment portfolio. As specialists in working with 1031 exchange buyers seeking off-market Tim Hortons properties, we are dedicated to delivering competitive offers with reduced fees to help you maximize your investment returns.
Number of locations
As of 2025, Tim Hortons operates over 5,700 locations worldwide, making it one of the largest quick-service restaurant (QSR) chains in the world and the dominant coffee brand in Canada.
The majority of locations are in Canada
Significant presence in the United States
International locations across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America
Tim Hortons operates under its parent company, Restaurant Brands International Inc. (RBI), which also owns Burger King, Popeyes, and Firehouse Subs.
Revenue and income
Tim Hortons is part of Restaurant Brands International, a publicly traded company (NYSE: QSR / TSX: QSR). While brand-level financials are reported within RBI segments:
Tim Hortons generates billions of dollars in annual systemwide sales
It consistently ranks among the top coffee and breakfast QSR brands globally
Strong revenue drivers include:
High-frequency coffee and breakfast traffic
Strong brand loyalty, particularly in Canada
Core menu items such as coffee, Timbits®, breakfast sandwiches, and baked goods
The brand benefits from daily repeat customers, strong morning traffic, and expanding digital and loyalty-driven sales.
Future plans
Tim Hortons continues to pursue measured global growth while modernizing operations and strengthening brand relevance through:
1. Continued domestic expansion
Tim Hortons plans steady growth across:
Suburban and urban markets
Drive-thru–focused locations
High-traffic retail corridors and commuter routes
The brand emphasizes convenience-driven formats and strong site visibility.
2. International growth
Tim Hortons is expanding selectively in international markets, particularly:
United States
Middle East
Asia
United Kingdom and Europe
International growth is tailored to local preferences while maintaining core menu offerings.
3. Digital and off-premise expansion
Ongoing investments include:
Mobile app ordering and payment
Loyalty rewards program enhancements
Drive-thru technology improvements
Delivery partnerships
These initiatives support higher visit frequency and improved customer engagement.
4. Menu innovation
The brand continues to evolve its menu through:
Expanded breakfast and lunch offerings
Cold beverages and specialty drinks
Limited-time promotions
Improved food quality and consistency
5. Operational efficiency and sustainability
Tim Hortons invests in:
Store remodels and modernization
Energy-efficient equipment
Sustainable packaging initiatives
Franchisee training and operational support
Corporate vs. franchise
Tim Hortons operates under a primarily franchised model:
The vast majority of locations are franchised
RBI retains strong control over:
Branding
Menu standards
Store design
Marketing and operations
This model allows for rapid expansion while maintaining brand consistency.
Additional information about Tim Hortons properties
Founded: 1964
Founders: Tim Horton and Ron Joyce
Headquarters: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Typical Tim Hortons locations feature:
Quick-service coffee and food format
Strong emphasis on drive-thru service
Efficient layouts designed for speed and volume
Flexible footprints suitable for inline, end-cap, and freestanding sites
The brand is known for:
Exceptional brand loyalty
Strong real estate fundamentals
Consistent performance across economic cycles due to affordable pricing
Tim Hortons employs tens of thousands of team members globally and serves millions of customers daily, supported by a globally recognized brand and the financial strength of Restaurant Brands International.
Tim Hortons History
Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, by Tim Horton, a professional hockey player, and Ron Joyce. The concept began as a simple coffee and doughnut shop and quickly gained popularity by focusing on quality coffee, baked goods, and affordable pricing, becoming a staple of Canadian daily life.
During the 1970s through the 1990s, Tim Hortons expanded rapidly across Canada, primarily through a franchise-driven growth model. The brand’s emphasis on convenience, consistency, and value helped establish Tim Hortons as the leading quick-service coffee chain in Canada, with a strong presence in urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, and along major commuter routes.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Tim Hortons broadened its menu beyond coffee and doughnuts to include breakfast sandwiches, lunch items, and specialty beverages, while also modernizing stores and introducing drive-thru service, digital ordering, mobile apps, and loyalty programs. The brand expanded internationally, particularly into the United States, Middle East, and Asia.
Today, Tim Hortons operates more than 5,700 locations worldwide. As a flagship brand under Restaurant Brands International Inc., the company continues to grow through selective global expansion, menu innovation, and technology investments, maintaining its position as one of the most recognizable and trusted quick-service restaurant brands globally.
Why Invest in Ground Lease and NNN Lease of Tim Hortons?
Investing in Tim Hortons ground lease or triple net (NNN) lease properties offers attractive advantages supported by the brand’s dominant market position in the coffee and breakfast segment, high-frequency customer traffic, and long-term operating stability as a leading quick-service restaurant tenant.
1) Tim Hortons NNN Property Investment: Stable Income
Tim Hortons is one of the largest coffee and breakfast QSR brands globally, serving millions of customers daily. Its high-frequency, everyday-use model—driven by coffee, breakfast, and snack purchases—produces consistent cash flow supported by strong morning traffic, drive-thru sales, and repeat customer visits, making Tim Hortons locations reliable income-producing assets for NNN investors.
2) Tim Hortons NNN Property Investment: Established Tenant
Founded in 1964, Tim Hortons has more than 60 years of operating history and over 5,700 locations worldwide. Backed by Restaurant Brands International Inc., a publicly traded and well-capitalized parent company, the brand offers reduced vacancy risk and strong long-term tenant credibility for landlords.
3) Tim Hortons NNN Property Investment: Low Management Responsibility
Most Tim Hortons ground leases and NNN leases are structured so the tenant is responsible for property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. This structure provides investors with a passive ownership profile, minimizing day-to-day involvement and exposure to unexpected capital expenses.
4) Tim Hortons NNN Property Investment: Favorable Lease Terms
Tim Hortons typically enters into long-term lease agreements—often 10 to 20 years—that include contractual rent escalations. These built-in increases support predictable income growth and provide protection against inflation over the lease term.
5) Tim Hortons NNN Property Investment: Real Estate Value
Tim Hortons locations are commonly positioned along high-traffic commuter corridors, freestanding pads with drive-thru service, and dense suburban and urban trade areas. Strong site selection, consistent customer demand, and durable brand loyalty enhance long-term property value and provide flexibility for future re-tenanting or redevelopment.
Pros and Cons of Tim Hortons Ground Lease and NNN Lease Investment
Pros:
Stable income supported by one of the largest coffee and breakfast QSR brands globally, with strong daily customer traffic driven by repeat, high-frequency visits.
Long-standing and highly recognizable brand with more than 60 years of operating history and over 5,700 locations worldwide, reducing vacancy and tenant default risk.
Minimal landlord responsibilities under typical NNN and ground lease structures, with the tenant responsible for property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
Long-term lease agreements often include built-in rent escalations, providing predictable income growth and inflation protection.
Prime real estate locations along high-traffic commuter corridors, freestanding pads with drive-thru service, and dense suburban and urban trade areas enhance long-term property value and re-tenanting potential.
Cons:
Lease renewal risk if a Tim Hortons franchisee or corporate operator elects not to renew at lease expiration, particularly at lower-performing locations.
Franchisee-level credit exposure, as many Tim Hortons locations are operated by individual franchisees rather than corporate entities.
Exposure to the QSR and coffee segment, which can be affected by labor costs, commodity price volatility (coffee, dairy), and changing consumer preferences.
Limited landlord control due to standard NNN or ground lease terms, restricting influence over operations and property decisions.
Property value fluctuations tied to broader retail real estate cycles, interest rate movements, and local market conditions.
Just like any NNN investment, evaluating site demographics, lease structure, tenant credit strength, franchisee guarantees, and long-term market demand is essential when considering a Tim Hortons property. Working with experienced NNN real estate professionals and financial advisors can help ensure the investment aligns with your objectives, risk tolerance, and 1031 exchange strategy.