Tim Hortons Teaming with Tops

Tops Markets, LLC and Canadian quick-serve restaurant chain Tim Hortons said yesterday that they will roll out either full-service Tim Hortons or self-serve kiosks in 82 Tops supermarkets and Tops Express locations by the end of the year.

The Tim Hortons restaurants will feature such items as premium coffee and other beverages, fresh baked goods, and the chain's popular breakfast sandwich. The self-serve kiosks will offer freshly ground coffee, cappuccino- and espresso-based drinks, and a range of Tim Hortons baked goods.

Plans call for up to 20 full-service restaurants and 62 self-serve kiosks at the Tops locations. Several of the self-serve kiosks are expected to become full-service locations eventually.

When opened, the new units will bring the Tim Hortons total restaurant count in the United States to 488, excluding other locations planned for the balance of 2008.

"We're two strong and growing brands in the markets we serve, and we share a common goal of meeting the needs of our time-sensitive customers while providing them with quality products," noted Tops president and c.e.o. Frank Curci. "Having Tim Hortons products in our stores will undoubtedly enhance our customers' total shopping experience."

"Tops is an ideal fit for our continued strategy to build our brand and convenience for customers through both standalone stores and non-standard full-serve and self-serve formats," added David Clanachan, c.o.o., U.S. and International at Tim Hortons.

Williamsville, N.Y.-based Tops operates 71 full-service supermarkets and five franchise supermarkets, and employs over 10,000 associates in western New York; central New York, including Rochester; and northwestern Pennsylvania.

Oakville, Ont.-based Tim Hortons is the fourth-largest publicly traded quick-service restaurant chain in North America, and the largest in Canada.
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