National Post (National Edition)
Tims closing dining areas
SAME AS STARBUCKS
TORONTO • Tim Hortons will close its dining rooms in Canada and only provide takeout and drive-thru service in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the chain told franchisees on Monday.
Tims said changes, to start Tuesday, will remain in effect “until further notice.”
“Where seats are removable, they will be taking away chairs,” Tims spokesperson Mary Lowe told the Financial Post, adding the change is required for all franchisees. “Where seating is fixed, they will be posting signage and reminding guests the dining area is closed.”
The move comes after Tims significantly altered its popular annual promotion, Roll Up the Rim to Win, earlier this month. The chain pushed the contest entirely online and stopped handing out Roll Up-themed cups, saying it wasn’t a good idea “to collect rolled up tabs that have been in people’s mouths during this current public health environment.” Tims also stopped accepting reusable mugs, just weeks after announcing that it was giving away 1.8 million free mugs in a push to be more environmentally conscious.
Monday’s decision to close dining rooms in most Canadian locations is meant to comply with public health officials calls for social distancing, a strategy seen as one of the most effective ways to slow the spread of the virus.
In a note to franchisees, which the company provided to the Financial Post, Tims said it will “focus on takeout, drive-thru and delivery service (where available) and will voluntarily close all dining room seating in most locations until further notice.”
“We have a responsibility not only to serve guests — but to protect them during this uncertain time,” Tims told franchisees.
Tims’ moves follow a similar one by Starbucks on Sunday.
The coffee retailer said it is removing all seats from its Canadian stores, switching to a to-go model in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The coffee chain will also close stores in high-traffic areas, like malls and university campuses, as well as stores in regions with high concentrations of COVID-19 infections.
Starbucks said stopping customers from sitting down will “prevent prolonged social gathering” and promote social distancing. “These are the actions we know are effective based on our experience in China, and are aligned with guidance from the CDC and local health authorities,” the company said in a email.
The chain will also stop letting customers add their own milk and cream to coffees. A spokesperson said all condiments will be kept behind the counter, to be served by a barista.
The changes, at 1,153 company-owned stores in Canada, are expected to last at least two weeks.