Tim Hortons Cracks Top 5 in Zagat Annual Ranking On U.S. Soil

Canadian Powerhouse Tim Hortons Cracks Zagat’s Top 5

Zagat released its most recent annual survey rankings eateries and coffee shops across America, and the long-standing Canadian powerhouse Tim Hortons finally cracked the top five in the States.

Though the chain’s success north of the border is well documented, with the company claiming to sell eight out of every 10 cups of coffee sold in Canada, it only peaked at number 22 in America in last year’s survey. Tim Hortons ranked within the top five of several categories, including “quick refreshment,” “customer service,” and “decor.”

“That’s our customers telling us they like the way we’re doing things. We’re known as a café and bake shop down there. People have really gravitated towards it,” said David Clanachan, Tim Hortons chief operations officer.

Tim Hortons has posted some of the best sales numbers in the coffee industry throughout the years, so it comes to no surprise that their popularity is catching on. The chain has expanded to over 700 locations in the United States in recent years and plans to continue doing so. Zagat surveyed over 10,000 diners about over 250 companies in a variety of categories.

Speaking to the Toronto Star, Brian Yarbrough, a restaurant-industry analyst with Edward Jones & Co, said the company now serves around 2 billion cups of coffee in North America a year.

“In my opinion, they’re definitely gaining recognition,” Brian Yarbrough, a restaurant-industry analyst with Edward Jones & Co. said by phone from St. Louis, Missouri.

“Is that the coffee? Is that the ice coffees and the smoothies and food all combined? But definitely, when you’re putting up some of the best sales numbers in the industry I’ve got to believe you’re gaining some share.”