Tim Hortons has committed to employing approximately 10,000 local workers, reducing its dependence on the temporary foreign worker program. The coffee chain has already conducted 400 hiring events in March and April, with plans to continue hiring local team members throughout the year.
Previously relying on the temporary foreign worker program due to labor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Tim Hortons now emphasizes hiring from the communities where its restaurants are situated. The company asserts that only 3.6% of its restaurant workforce, totaling 4,000 employees, are part of the temporary foreign worker program and are recruited in areas with documented labor scarcities.
In response to the federal government’s adjustment of temporary foreign worker proportions, Tim Hortons lobbied to sustain the program to aid restaurants facing staffing challenges. Recent lobbying records show that the company’s parent entity, Restaurant Brands International, engaged in discussions regarding immigration policies linked to the temporary foreign workers program.
While Tim Hortons faced criticism in the past for its temporary foreign labor usage, the company now states that lobbying is unnecessary amid rising youth unemployment rates. The latest records indicate that Restaurant Brands is no longer discussing immigration policy matters with the government.
The recent employment drive aligns with Tim Hortons’ larger strategy, which includes opening 80 new restaurants nationwide and renovating 400 existing cafes by year-end. Ontario will see the most new locations, followed by Alberta and Quebec. These developments coincide with Dunkin’ returning to the Canadian market through a deal with Montreal-based Foodtastic.
As Tim Hortons expands and responds to market changes, its focus on community investment and local hiring aims to solidify its position amid competition. The company’s efforts to engage with Canadian communities and emphasize its Canadian identity may serve as a strategic advantage against rivals like Dunkin’, according to industry experts.
