Quick snack and restaurant chain Tim Hortons takes on Chinese market

QSR chain Tim Hortons has signed an agreement with private equity firm Cartesian Capital Group to open more than 1,500 restaurants throughout China in the next decade.

Tim Hortons is one of North America’s largest quick‐service restaurant chains offering fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, premium coffee and speciality beverages and other prepared foods.

The brand began as a single location in Canada in 1964 by Tim Horton, and today has more than 4,700 restaurants located in Canada and the US.

Cartesian has a long history of collaborating with brand owners to expand their footprint, including introducing the Burger King brand to the Chinese market in 2012, which today has more than 900 outlets in the country.

Bring the best

“China’s population and vibrant economy represent an excellent growth opportunity to Tim Hortons in the coming years,” said Alex Mac, Tim Horton’s president.

“We have already seen Canada’s Chinese community embrace Tim Hortons and we now have the opportunity to bring the best of our Canadian brand to China with established partners who have expertise in the industry and the country.”

Tim Hortons is part of Restaurant Brands International (RBI), a global QSR company with more than $30bn in system‐wide sales and over 24,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries and US territories.

RBI owns Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeye.

Cartesian Capital Group currently has $3bn in capital commitments under management, having helped to build 50 companies across 30 different countries.