Tim Hortons to redesign stores across Canada

Tim Hortons plans to spend $700 million to renovate most of its Canadian locations as it looks to turn around slumping sales.

The franchise says that over the next four years the restaurant exterior will be designed to have a more natural and lighter look.  Inside, restaurants will be decorated with artwork that highlights Tim Hortons’ history, including a commissioned portrait of Tim Horton, a mosaic of iconic brand images and a photo wall that features Tim Hortons’ coffee-sourcing process.

The seating will be more open concept and all the tables will be made of Canadian maple wood. The company is also adding more electrical plugs, hoping diners will stay longer if they can plug in and keep devices charged.

However, the problem for Tim Hortons’ owner Restaurant Brands International may be getting the franchise owners on board with the plan. Franchise owners will be expected to split the cost of the renovation with the parent company. However, last March, 70 per cent of Tim Hortons restaurant owners in Canada formed the Great White North Franchisee Association to represent them in their fight against the head office — whose management style they say is hurting the brand.

680 NEWS Business Editor Richard Southern spoke to Alex Macedo, President Tim Hortons, about what the restaurant owners thought about the plan.

“So far the support from the franchisees has been very good. We shared with them the plan to renovate the restaurant just last week and we already have had several sign-ups,” said Macedo.

He added that the company is working on a plan to deal with customer service and long lineups, but stopped short of confirming whether Tim Hortons would be installing self-order kiosks.

“We’re taking a look at self-order kiosks, but its a bit early in the process to share anything right now,” Macedo said.

Scroll through the gallery below to see the proposed upgrades coming soon to a Timmie’s near you.