Tim Hortons, Inc. (USA) (NYSE:THI)

CEO quit a while back and they still haven't found a replacement. When they do, and they get a firmer vision, the company should increase its presence in Canada and the US.

12/18

Tim Horton's has perfected the drive-thru and great food. I have become addicted to THI for weekday breakfast. Every day I continue to be impressed with their ability to move any length of line quickly through their drive-throughs. My average time to get breakfast is under 3 minutes. I regularly go to four locations and the quality of food and speed of service is very consistent between these locations. Probably because they have great friendly people at each location, even startups. They also continue to develop their menu with interesting choices for lunch and breakfast, plus they have a nice seasonal change in their menu. Plus they are adding Coldstone ice cream service to many locations, so you have a reason to stop for an evening treat.

I have never gone past a store that does't have a line of cars for breakfast or lunch. It's a chalenge to get past without getting in an accident.

If I need a quick coffee - it's Timmies, if I buy food on the go - 50% of the time it's Timmies, If I'm meeting up with somebody - it's Timmies. Well priced fresh baked goods made throughout the day, made to order sandwhiches, coffee... and the official workweek breakfast destination of Canada. Beautiful stores and also smaller locations in many gas station convenience stores. Extended period of testing and development of the business model in Canada... Now it's time to grow 3 fold over the next decade in the North Eastern U.S. Solid dividend.

Tim Horton's suddenly popping up in NYC.
Decent food, well priced, good looking interior. I like the place and I like where it's going

Expansion will prove to be successful....good food, donuts coffee and more at a fair price.

Terrific company. They have an enormous presence i Canada. They are making inroads in Michigan and other border states. They have great coffee, sandwiches, etc. A winner.

The McDonalds of Canada in 1955

TIM ORTONS One of the best business plans in Canada, Quality products ,with a line up in every store Loyal customers seem adicted to their coffee..$ 42..00 Target

Good stuff and expand when starbucks tanks

Great food and always a crowd.

Tim Horton's is making a large presence in the US after esablishing a sucessful track record in Canada

Analyst: Alex Pape
Date: 4/1/2010
Company: Tim Hortons Inc.(NYSE: THI)
Market Cap: 5.742m
Price: $32.88

1) A brief overview of the company:
Tim Horton’s franchises quick-service restaurants in Canada and the U.S. Their restaurants sell premium coffee, flavored cappuccinos, teas, home-style soups, sandwiches, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including their trademark donuts.

History of the company in 2 lines:
It was started by a NHL All-Star (his name? Tim Horton) in 1967. He partnered with an initial franchisee, who took over after his death. Wendy’s bought it in 1995 and bundled the stores under the same roof. In 2006, took it public and spun it off.

Horton’s is the 4th largest public quick service restaurant chain in North America. It is the largest in its space in Canada, where it has 3,015 restaurants; it has 563 restaurants in the U.S. and an additional 291 in the U.K. and Ireland. Over 99% of restaurants are franchised and it is management’s plan to continue that strategy.

Historically the company has grown primarily by adding new restaurants, and 2010 is no different. The company plans to grow in Canadian growth markets (Quebec, western Canada, Ontario, and major cities) and in major regional areas in the U.S. (New York, Ohio, and Michigan). There are also plans to test a new concept restaurant in the U.S. to differentiate the brand and customer offerings as a café and bake shop destination.

2) What is the competitive landscape?
Tim Hortons holds 40% market share in the Canadian quick service restaurant segment and 83% of the coffee/donut/gourmet coffee/tea sector. Both figures are based on number of customers served.
The markets in which the company competes are highly competitive. Competitors include quick service restaurants, fast-casual restaurants focusing on specialty coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches, and gas and convenience stores that sell food and beverages. The coffee and breakfast food markets in particular have intensified over the last several years. The company has noted particular competitive pressures as a new entrant in the U.S. market.

3) Is this a good long-term business?
The company has an established brand and business in Canada with definite room for growth in that market. Other markets, including the U.S., offer the potential for even greater growth, but the ability to capitalize on the strength of the Tim Horton name outside of Canada is as yet unknown. The demand for breakfast foods, sandwiches, and coffee cannot be expected to drop off anytime soon; however, the ability of the company to earn strong margins on these products in a competitive market is uncertain. Also, growth by adding new stores has been most effective to date and continues to be the most attractive mode of growth; however, growth in this manner, while probably sustainable for quite a while, is not possible at high levels in the long run. Difficulty in boosting same-restaurant sales significantly or increasing operating margins could create problems for long-term growth.

Tim Horton's is a great company. Many people may not think they have the best products but no matter what they say the company sells and sells well. They have cheap coffee (very addictive) and great pastries which makes them a great investment because they sell stuff that people will always want and they don't charge an arm and a leg. Plus last year they made over $1 billion dollars in profit. Not to bad.

The brand, especially here in Canada, is HUGE. Their announcement today that they will introduce new items in their restaurants is further proof that this companty know what their doing.

Great coffee and excellent franchise model

Tim Horton's may not be a sexy, get your rich pick, but it's a solid company with 4 decades of proven performance and extreme customer loyalty in Canada - the likes of which I haven't seen anywhere else. It's not going anywhere anytime soon and continues to make (small but significant) inroads into regions of the US, particularly those frequented by a lot of Canadians (New England, upstate NY, Michigan).

We Canadians nurse our babies on this stuff. It may never crack the US market, but since they started paying a divy I can't pass up owning them. Is there a Drip pun in here somewhere for a div paying coffee shop?