Tim Hortons to Hire 10,000 Local Employees and Open 80 New Stores

Tim Hortons said Friday it will hire 10,000 local employees this year while reducing its use of the temporary foreign worker program. The company stated that 400 hiring events have already occurred in March and April. The chain also announced it will open 80 new restaurants nationwide by the end of the year and renovate 400 existing locations.

Ontario will receive 26 of the new stores, Alberta 17, and Quebec 14.

Hortons communications director Michael Oliveira said the company has always focused on local hiring. 6 percent of the workforce, currently come through the temporary foreign worker program. The federal government raised the allowable share of temporary foreign workers to 20 percent in 2022 and later returned it to 10 percent in 2024.

Restaurant Brands International, Tim Hortons' parent company, had lobbied on the issue as recently as 2025 but is no longer discussing immigration policy with the government.

Foodtastic announced earlier in May that it will reintroduce Dunkin' to Canada, with the first location expected within six months. Foodtastic CEO Peter Mammas said hundreds of stores could follow. Oliveira said the expansion plans are part of a long-term investment involving landlords, permits, and construction that takes more than a year.

Business consultant David Pullara said the timing makes it difficult to separate the moves from Dunkin's planned return.