Tim Hortons Goes Dark Across North America

– Company launches first new blend in its history with full-flavoured Dark Roast –

OAKVILLE, ON, Aug. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Welcome to Tim Hortons, will that be a Double Double Dark or Original? On Friday, August 15, Dark Roast coffee makes its North American debut at Tim Hortons restaurants, marking the first time in the company's 50-year history that an alternate blend is available in-restaurant in addition to Tim Hortons iconic Original premium blend.

"The launch of Dark Roast is historic for Tim Hortons and it couldn't have come at a better time than during our 50^th anniversary year," said Marc Caira, President & CEO, Tim Hortons Inc. "Tim Hortons prides itself on serving best-in-class coffee and responding to the evolving tastes of our guests, and our new Dark Roast blend speaks to that commitment. We know that our guests want choice when consuming their daily coffee and we applied our passion for coffee and brewing expertise to develop a superior tasting Dark Roast blend our guests will love."

According to Tim Hortons research, some consumers enjoy exploring different roast profiles and on occasion, enjoy consuming a darker roast coffee. Recent industry studies also indicate that approximately half of Canadian (49%)* and US (52%)** coffee drinkers who consume brewed coffee in and out of home, define the last coffee they had as a dark roast.

Tim Hortons Dark Roast is a brand new premium blend made from 100 per cent Arabica beans, sourced from the world's most renowned coffee regions. The new blend offers hints of citrus, cocoa and earthy tones with a rounded body. It is carefully roasted to bring out the full, rich flavour and aroma of a dark roast coffee, while ensuring a perfectly smooth finish.

The new Dark Roast coffee is available starting Friday at Tim Hortons restaurants across Canada and the United States for the same price as Tim Hortons Original coffee blend. Dark Roast is also sold in the 343g bag ($6.69) and 14-pack single serve coffee cup ($9.99) formats in-restaurant and at grocery retailers across Canada (grocery mid-September). In the U.S. it's available at Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop locations in the 1lb bag ($7.99) and 14-pack single serve coffee cup formats and at grocery in the 12oz bag ($7.99) and 12-pack of single serve coffee cups ($8.99). The launch comes after successful test pilots across Quebec in June 2014 and in London, ON and Columbus, OH in October 2013. 

To celebrate the launch of Dark Roast coffee, Tim Hortons had unknowing customers try and taste the rich flavour of the coffee…in the dark.  See how it all unfolded at TimsDark.com and join the #TimsDark conversation on Twitter (@TimHortons); @TimHortonsUS), Facebook (facebook.com/TimHortons; facebook.com/TimHortonsUS) and Instagram (@TimHortons; @TimHortonsCafeAndBakeShop). Guests can also discover their Dark Roast personality online at TimsDark.com.

*2013 Canadian Coffee Drinking Trends, Coffee Association of Canada

**2014 National Coffee Drinking Trends, National Coffee Association USA

Tim Hortons Inc. Overview

Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of June 29, 2014, Tim Hortons had 4,546 systemwide restaurants, including 3,630 in Canada, 866 in the United States and 50 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

Image with caption: "Marc Caira, President & CEO, Tim Hortons Inc., announces the North American debut of the company’s new Dark Roast blend in Toronto, ON. The new blend is available starting Friday, August 15. (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140814_C1203_PHOTO_EN_4871.jpg

Image with caption: "Marc Caira, President & CEO, Tim Hortons Inc., and Canada’s own Jann Arden enjoy a cup of Tim Hortons Dark Roast coffee at the launch event in Toronto, ON, on Thursday. The new blend makes its North American debut at Tim Hortons restaurants across North America on Friday, August 15. (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140814_C1203_PHOTO_EN_4872.jpg

Image with caption: "Tim Hortons launches its new Dark Roast coffee at restaurants across North America on Friday, August 15, marking the first time in the company’s 50-year history that an alternate blend is available in restaurant in addition to Tim Hortons iconic Original premium blend (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140814_C1203_PHOTO_EN_4862.jpg

SOURCE: Tim Hortons

Olga Petrycki, [email protected], 905.339.5960