Iconic Global Coffee brand Tim Hortons® set to enter India in 2022: Tim Hortons®, an iconic coffee brand established in 1964 in Canada, will enter India as part of an exclusive agreement with AG Café, a joint venture entity owned by Apparel Group, a global fashion and lifestyle retail conglomerate and Gateway Partners, an emerging markets alternative investment manager.
Popular for its freshly prepared iconic beverages like the smooth and creamy ‘French Vanilla’ and its creamy blended frozen coffee, the ‘Iced Capp®’ along with made-to-order food and baked goods offerings, like the delicious bite-sized morsels of traditional donuts called ‘Timbits®’, Tim Hortons will open in New Delhi this year, quickly followed by Punjab and other parts of the country. With over 50 years of coffee expertise, the brand has captured the hearts and taste buds of many.
With this launch, India will become the brand’s fourth country in the Asia Pacific region, and plans to open over two hundred and fifty outlets over the next five years.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Tim Hortons to India, with Apparel Group and Gateway Partners. India is known for taking its beverages and food very seriously,” said David Shear, President, RBI International, parent company of Tim Hortons.
Tim Hortons India will be led by Navin Gurnaney, an experienced and reputed professional who will serve as the company’s India CEO. He was previously the CEO for Starbucks India. Speaking on the announcement, Navin Gurnaney said, “We are very happy to bring Tim Hortons, a global café brand, to our guests in India.. We are excited ahead of this launch and we look forward to bringing the best of the café experience to Indians.”
Speaking on the announcement, Nilesh Ved, Chairman & CEO, Apparel Group said, “The food and beverage sector is seeing a revival after a long period of covid-induced lull, and we see this as the most opportune time to introduce a new brand and have an aggressive plan to cater to the demand. As a global company with proven capabilities worldwide, we are happy to bring the Tim Hortons experience to India.”
Shankar, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Partners, said, “This exciting new venture builds on our existing strong partnership with Apparel Group, and the India venture has the promise and the potential to be a true “game-changer”. It is also aligned with Gateway’s approach of investing in well-established market leaders who cater to core consumption needs. I cannot wait to have a cup of Tim Hortons coffee when we open in New Delhi”.