Tim Hortons closes U.S. headquarters in Ohio

OAKVILLE, ONT.— Tim Hortons closed the doors of its U.S. headquarters earlier this week as it shifts responsibilities ahead of a global expansion.

Spokesman Patrick McGrade confirmed in an email Wednesday that the coffee and doughnut chain shuttered its offices in Columbus, Ohio, but didn’t say how many jobs were affected.

“The U.S. remains a top-priority growth market for Tim Hortons and we have made the strategic decision to drive that growth from our newly built Tim Hortons Global Restaurant Support Centre located here in Oakville, Ont.,” McGrade said.

“This move will see new positions located here in Canada focused on supporting the U.S. business.”

McGrade said the Oakville staff will be supported by a team of U.S. representatives who work on the ground with local franchisees.

Tim Hortons, which is run by parent company Restaurant Brands International, has historically struggled to find its footing in the U.S. market.

Some progress was made during the first quarter, with U.S. same-store sales rising 8.9 per cent from a year earlier helped by more interest in its lunch menu.

The company has been undergoing extensive changes since being taken over by 3G Capital, a Brazilian investment firm which merged the operations with Burger King and now owns roughly 70 per cent of the combined company.

After the deal was finalized, 3G Capital began cutting jobs across Tim Hortons operations, laying off about 350 employees, which represented about 15 per cent of its 2,300 staff at headquarters and regional offices.

Since then, the company has made smaller job reductions throughout its operations, though representatives have attributed it to the normal course of business.