reaping profits through massive growth in Asia. They have just opened their 5,000th store in China and the Asia-Pacific region recently with a goal of reaching a store count of 10,000 over the next 5 years. RBI is micro focused on the Philippines as an entry point into the booming service sector in that region. RBI chief executive officer Daniel Schwartz identified a strong economy and growing service sector in the region as the deciding factors. According to Schwartz the Philippines has “a population that has an affinity for coffee and baked goods” and months of research have suggested Tim’s will be a perfect fit. RBI did not release the number of stores that are planned but chief financial officer Joshua Kobza stated “we aim to be a leader in the market.” Kobza suggested Tim Hortons would try and develop a presence similar to the already established chains that boast hundreds of restaurants in the country. The stores will stay true to the brand by offering timbits, iced Capps and other traditional favorites. As expected there will also be unique items designed to capture the flavor of the local market as Schwartz promised “you’ll have a mix of the kind of products that we know and love here in Canada and some new products.” RBI views Tim Hortons Southeast Asian plans as a gateway into the region, a strategy that worked so well for Star- bucks who are now eyeing India. Since Tim Hortons and Burger King merged in late 2014, the company’s been focused on taking both to market as a franchise package. That move has proven positive for Burger King and is giving Tim Hortons more global recognition.
By Jamie Barrie I f you want to grow in the coffee service world in 2016 you must head to Asia and it looks like Restaurant Brands International (RBI), themultinational owner and operator of Tim Hortons and Burger King, is getting onboard. The company announced it has joined with investors to start a master franchise joint venture company to sell coffee and doughnuts in Southeast Asia, soon hearing the phrase, “ngarsait nhaithkyet nhaithkyet shisai lim maal” will be as common as, “I’ll have a Double Double”. Which in Tim Horton’s talk, means that you want two milk and two sugar in your coffee.
It is a road they needed to travel if their goal is to remain a dominant player in the coffee world. Starbucks has been
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SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS • AUGUST 2016
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