Tim Hortons shuns Cdn Soldiers - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

nieuwy-89 · 01-28-2006, 12:38 PM

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...380bd6&k=79436

Canadian Soldiers in Afganistan, envious of the Burger King/Subway/Pizza Hut kiosks on US bases, are pining for a cup of Tim Hortons coffee. I've spent time overseas (just travelling, not in the armed forces), and I can understand what the soldiers mean. Hockey and Timmy's are the two things I missed most in the first month of being away.

Unfortunately for the soldiers, Timmy's claims that Afganistan is just not in the business model..."We are focusing on opening in Canada and the U.S. only".

I know Tim Hortons is not a Canadian owned company. But a chain that promotes itself as a Canadian icon, and gladly basks in the earned loyalty of Canadian customers, should step up to the plate. This would be a great perk for the soldiers, and I'm sure Tim Hortons could find a way to use it in a cleverly annoying marketting campaign.

I'm not saying "boycott Timmys". But if word of this spreads maybe the company will bow to public/media pressure and help out the soldiers.

Frank the Tank · 01-28-2006, 01:04 PM

But really, how much would it cost Tim's to set up shop there and how much coffee could they sell at $1.35 to make any money? Can't really blame them for not going. Business is business after all.

MarchHare · 01-28-2006, 01:09 PM

One of my best friends is currently stationed in Afghanistan, and to hear him tell it, the Canadian Forces are addicted to Tim Horton's coffee as if it's crack. He said it's not at all uncommon for soldiers to drink 3-4 extra large coffees before noon.

That being said, Frank has a point. How much money would it cost Tim's to setup shop over there, only to lose all their business when the Canadians' tour is up and they're replaced with soldiers from Germany or Belgium or whichever other NATO country is taking their place?

IIRC, Tim's ran a "true story" ad a few years ago where they sent lots of coffee to one of our frigates patrolling the Persian Gulf. I wouldn't be surprised at all if they sent coffee and coffee makers to Afghanistan following this story, but opening up a store over there is probably a bit much.

WessThompson · 01-28-2006, 01:34 PM

A couple thoughts...and this from a Canadian Soldier (yes, that's me)

I am sure Timmy's cares little, as they have a damn monopoly on Coffee in Canada these days. They have a Tims on every damn corner in most cities, and the amount of coffee they sell in the mornings alone can justify that.

If you look at most Tim Hortons Drive-Thru's in the mornings, you'll see how packed they are. That is how the Timmy's drive-thru looks ALL DAY on the Timmy's that are located on military bases here in Canada. The get so much damn business from the military it's not even funny. We support the hell out of them, and frankly I think it would be nice for them to support us in return.

The soliders aren't asking for a damn handout...they all have cash over there, and nowhere else to spend it. I am sure they would do just fine if they set-up shop over there. Especially since they could send in all their crap via military transport if they wanted.

As for when the Canadians pull out??? Then what?? Well, they aren't. Canada will be there for the long haul...believe me.

Thanks Nieuwy-89...nice to see someone pulling for the soldiers to get a little taste of home. While it seems rather minor and trivial...small things like that can keep the troops going over there.

Wess

Hack&Lube · 01-28-2006, 01:39 PM

We've all seen the trite commercial where some Canadian college kids in Scotland write home about their love for Timmy's and then they are sent over boxes of coffee and equipment and they open up a Tim Horton's in their flat. "Based on a true story" according to the commercial if I remember right.

Some kids in a little room in Scotland get to have Tim Hortons, why not the soldier in Afghanistan?

Wookie · 01-28-2006, 01:41 PM

Well I haven't got the faintest idea of what conditions are like over there as far as safety goes. But if I'm running a corporation I don't want to see one of my employees dressed in a Tim Horton's Uniform with a gun to his/her head on TV.

Does that happen there? I don't know, but it's probably a lot more risky then Calgary, and even if it is not, one dead or kidnapped employee there unfortuantly would look a lot worse and play out worse then one or two shot here in late night robbings.

nieuwy-89 · 01-28-2006, 01:52 PM

Good points on both sides - maybe sending some coffee makers and a crate or two of coffee per week would be good enough. It would be a real good news story if the corporation or even a Tim Hortons franchisee decided to do this on a volunteer basis.

Incinerator · 01-28-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookie

Well I haven't got the faintest idea of what conditions are like over there as far as safety goes. But if I'm running a corporation I don't want to see one of my employees dressed in a Tim Horton's Uniform with a gun to his/her head on TV.

Does that happen there? I don't know, but it's probably a lot more risky then Calgary, and even if it is not, one dead or kidnapped employee there unfortuantly would look a lot worse and play out worse then one or two shot here in late night robbings.

You have got to be kidding me, they aren't talking about opening a Tim's in the middle of Baghdad. Like the top post mentioned there's already Subways and Burger Kings there ON the Military Base! I doubt it would be remotely likely to be kidnapped by insurgents while serving coffee to the soldiers RIGHT ON THE BASE. Unless you're implicating that our soldiers would put a gun to a Timmy's employee's head for a cup of coffee, which would be a ludicrous suggestion.

WessThompson · 01-28-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookie

Well I haven't got the faintest idea of what conditions are like over there as far as safety goes. But if I'm running a corporation I don't want to see one of my employees dressed in a Tim Horton's Uniform with a gun to his/her head on TV.

Does that happen there? I don't know, but it's probably a lot more risky then Calgary, and even if it is not, one dead or kidnapped employee there unfortuantly would look a lot worse and play out worse then one or two shot here in late night robbings.

Yikes...lets be realistic here. What are the chances of that happening? *LOL* Slim to none. How often do you hear of a Canadian Soldier captured in the Canadian camp, at gunpoint? The place is pretty damn secure...not only that, the nut jobs over there doing any killing, are complete cowards. They don't have the guts to even attempt to get into the Canadian camp. They would rather launch rockets or grenades at the place (and miss by a km) or drive car bombs into military vehicles on the main roads.

Not only would Tim Hortons employees on base NOT be permitted to carry a weapon, but it certainly wouldn't be required. What in the heck is some Timmy's employee with a C-7 going to do?? Especially when there are hundreds of armed soldiers around willing to protect him??

MarchHare · 01-28-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

We've all seen the trite commercial where some Canadian college kids in Scotland write home about their love for Timmy's and then they are sent over boxes of coffee and equipment and they open up a Tim Horton's in their flat. "Based on a true story" according to the commercial if I remember right.

Some kids in a little room in Scotland get to have Tim Hortons, why not the soldier in Afghanistan?

Tim's already ran a commercial just like that one. As I said in my post above, they had an ad a few years ago where they sent a ton of coffee to one of our ships in the Persian Gulf.

The article linked in the OP also mentions that Tim's sends lots of coffee to our military personel stationed overseas.

Shawnski · 01-28-2006, 03:07 PM

First of all, to those serving over there, thank you.

If I were Tim's, I would not open a store over there. I don't think the soldiers are craving the donuts, but the coffee. So set up several golf cart style rigs that drive around the base and deliver it. Use prepaid cards or whatever mechanism to ensure quick transactions. It would be highly cost effective. Those soldiers are doing a service, they deserved to be served themselves.

Wookie · 01-28-2006, 04:32 PM

Well obviously I wasn't implying the people were going to be kidnapped right off the base, but still, the risk of something happening is there. Do they want employees even there.. at all... What they have to now stay on the base 24 hours a day? What if they wander off? Anyway I thought I made it pretty clear I had no idea and was just offering a suggestion.. sheesh

"omfg, moron, the insurgents aren't going to dress up as soldiers, go buy coffee then Jihad on them and run away with bags on the prisoners heads"

evman150 · 01-28-2006, 04:40 PM

Is it weird that there is no Tim Horton's where I live?

I live right in Greater Victoria and the closest Tim Horton's is more than a 20 minute drive away. There are a half dozen McDick's, three DQ and probably eight Subways before there is a Tim's. And there is no Burger King in the city. Just bizarre.

Incinerator · 01-28-2006, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evman150

Is it weird that there is no Tim Horton's where I live?

I live right in Greater Victoria and the closest Tim Horton's is more than a 20 minute drive away. There are a half dozen McDick's, three DQ and probably eight Subways before there is a Tim's. And there is no Burger King in the city. Just bizarre.

Maybe Victorians are all label-snobs and they prefer Starbucks?

MarchHare · 01-28-2006, 05:24 PM

I have to say the biggest adjustment I had to make after moving to Calgary from the Maritimes was the total lack of Tim Hortons locations. Within walking distance of downtown Calgary, I can think of two Tim's spots. Within an equivalent area in Saint John, Moncton, or Halifax, there'd be at least 10, if not more.

Also, learning how to order coffee here was a unique skill that had to be acquired. The first time I went to a Starbucks here, the girl in front of me ordered a "grande non-fat soy tazo chai latte". I had no bloody idea what she was talking about. A far cry from ordering a large double-double.

Incinerator · 01-28-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I have to say the biggest adjustment I had to make after moving to Calgary from the Maritimes was the total lack of Tim Hortons locations. Within walking distance of downtown Calgary, I can think of two Tim's spots. Within an equivalent area in Saint John, Moncton, or Halifax, there'd be at least 10, if not more.

Really? I thought we already have plenty of Timmy's here. Where I live & work there's already 4 combined within 5 minutes and 2 at school now with the privatization.

Shawnski · 01-28-2006, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

... after moving to Calgary from the Maritimes ...

Now THAT explains a LOT regarding our political debates!!!

Kidding, March. Both my parents grew up there, and I had the chance to go back once many, many moons ago. Don't worry, Alberta will corrupt you yet!

Incinerator · 01-28-2006, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Also, learning how to order coffee here was a unique skill that had to be acquired. The first time I went to a Starbucks here, the girl in front of me ordered a "grande non-fat soy tazo chai latte". I had no bloody idea what she was talking about. A far cry from ordering a large double-double.

That would be a large latte made with soy milk and mixed with chai tea if I'm guessing correctly...I like my coffee black so I generally don't have a problem anywhere

MarchHare · 01-28-2006, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Really? I thought we already have plenty of Timmy's here.

Oh hell no! In any given Maritime city, there's a Tim's location about every three blocks. No, that is not an exaggeration.

To put things in perspective, think of downtown Calgary. Everywhere there's a Mac's or 7/11 location, replace it with a Tim's. Now do the same with every Starbuck's location. That's what it's like on the East coast.

Flame On · 01-29-2006, 01:50 AM

I dunno, I appreaciate the role of the armed forces and those that serve under it. But if Tim Hortons has to travel the globe opening up a franchise everywhere our forces are deployed, well it's a bit anti freemarket I think. They don't want to open there for business reasons. That's what they're in it for, for business not for sentimentality.
One of the reasons we thank and pay the armed forces is for their sacrifices they make and I think Timmer's has to fall under that if they don't wanna open there. I mean are we gonna parachute Nigella Lawson into every camp cause the boys fancy a home cooked meal instead of the rations everytime?
I don't see the harm in sending some Horton's supplies there with a couple of nice brewers though.