Tim Hortons has committed to employing approximately 10,000 local workers, reducing its dependence on the temporary foreign worker program. The company has already conducted 400 hiring events in March and April, with plans to continue hiring local team members throughout the year.
Previously, Tim Hortons had turned to the temporary foreign worker program during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 due to a labor shortage in the country. However, the company emphasizes its dedication to hiring locally within the communities where its restaurants are situated.
According to Tim Hortons, only 3.6% of its restaurant staff, totaling 4,000 employees, are hired through the temporary foreign worker program. These workers are recruited in areas with documented labor shortages.
The federal government had temporarily increased the proportion of temporary foreign workers that businesses could employ, but the percentage was reduced back to 10% in 2024. Tim Hortons had lobbied to maintain the program, citing staff shortages in the industry.
With a rise in youth unemployment, Tim Hortons no longer finds lobbying necessary. The company’s current focus is on hiring local workers, with immigration policy discussions no longer on the agenda.
In a strategic move, Tim Hortons plans to open 80 new restaurants and renovate 400 cafes across Canada by the end of the year. The expansion includes 26 new locations in Ontario, 17 in Alberta, and 14 in Quebec.
These changes coincide with Dunkin’ announcing its return to the Canadian market. Foodtastic, a Montreal-based company, is set to bring Dunkin’ back to Canada after its exit in 2018. The first store is expected to open within six months, with hundreds more to follow.
Although some view Dunkin’ as a threat due to its appeal to a younger demographic, Tim Hortons remains confident in its Canadian roots and community investments. The company’s pledge to support local communities is seen as a key strategy in competing with Dunkin’.
In response to the changing landscape, Tim Hortons is focusing on engaging Canadians and maintaining its presence as a fixture in communities across the country. The company’s commitment to local hiring and community support remains at the forefront of its strategy.