If you‘re a Canadian looking for an affordable, no-fuss way to provide coffee for a group of 12 people, Tim Hortons has you covered with their Take 12 offering. In this ultimate guide, we‘ll dive deep into everything you need to know about Take 12, from what‘s included to how much it costs to expert analysis of its role in Tim Hortons‘ business strategy.
Tim Hortons: A Canadian Coffee Icon
Before we get into the specifics of Take 12, let‘s set the stage with some background on Tim Hortons. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1964, Tim Hortons has grown to become Canada‘s largest quick service restaurant chain, with over 4,000 locations across the country[^1^].
Tim Hortons is known for their signature coffee, which is a medium roast blend made from 100% Arabica beans. They sell an estimated 2 billion cups of coffee annually[^2^]. In addition to their original blend, Tim Hortons also offers decaf and dark roast options.
What‘s Included in a Tim Hortons Take 12?
A Tim Hortons Take 12 is a specially designed package that provides coffee and all the necessary fixings for 12 people in one transportable box. Each Take 12 includes:
- 12 8-oz cups of your choice of Tim Hortons original blend, dark roast, or "double double" (coffee with 2 creams and 2 sugars)
- 12 lids
- 12 stirring sticks
- Sugar packets
- Single-serving creamer cups
- Napkins
The 12 cups included are the standard medium size (8 oz) coffee cups used at Tim Hortons, made of thick paper with a rolled rim and Tim Hortons branding. The lids are plastic and designed to snap securely onto the cups to prevent spills.
Tim Hortons Take 12 Pricing
As of 2023, the standard price for a Tim Hortons Take 12 in Canada is $21.49 before tax. For comparison, a single medium original blend or dark roast coffee at Tim Hortons typically costs around $2.19[^3^].
So purchasing 12 medium coffees separately would total about $26.28 before tax. Take 12 offers savings of nearly $5 compared to buying the coffees individually. The per-cup cost in a Take 12 averages to about $1.79.
| Group Coffee Option | Cost per 12 Servings | Cost per Serving |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Hortons Take 12 | $21.49 | $1.79 |
| 12 Medium Coffees | $26.28 | $2.19 |
Prices sourced from TimHortons.ca, May 2023
However, it‘s worth noting that prices can vary slightly by location. Some major cities may have higher prices. And Tim Hortons occasionally runs promotions that could lower the cost of individual coffees. But in most cases, Take 12 is the better value.
Customizing Your Tim Hortons Take 12
One convenient aspect of Take 12 is that it allows each person to customize their coffee to their liking. The box includes ample sugar packets and single-serving creamer cups to supply all 12 coffees.
The standard creamer provided is Tim Hortons‘ 18% coffee cream. For those who prefer milk or a milk alternative, you‘ll have to supply that separately.
As for the coffee itself, you have three options when ordering a Take 12:
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Original Blend – Tim Hortons classic house blend, known for its smooth taste and consistent flavor. A medium roast.
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Dark Roast – A fuller bodied, bolder coffee with a slightly more intense flavor than the original. Less acidic.
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Double Double – Named for how Canadians often order their coffee, a "double double" is a coffee with two creams and two sugars already mixed in.
Note that other coffee-based drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, iced coffees, and specialty beverages are not available within the Take 12 offering currently. Take 12 only includes drip coffee.
Pairing a Take 12 with Timbits or Donuts
Many Canadians automatically associate Tim Hortons coffee with their famous donuts and donut holes known as Timbits. So it‘s no surprise that Take 12 is often paired with a group donut or Timbit order.
A standard dozen donut box ($11.49+) or a 20-pack of Timbits ($3.59+) is a perfect match for a Take 12[^4^]. It provides a sweet treat to go alongside the coffee and offers enough for each person to have one donut or a few Timbits.
Sustainability and Take 12 Packaging
In recent years, Tim Hortons has taken steps to improve the sustainability of their coffee cups and other packaging. They have been working on developing a more environmentally friendly coffee cup for over a decade[^5^].
The coffee cups and lids used in Take 12 are technically recyclable in some areas, but the plastic lining makes them more difficult to process than plain paper. Many recycling facilities still do not accept them[^6^].
The cardboard box that holds the Take 12 coffees and supplies is also recyclable. And the individual sugar packets and creamer cups can typically be recycled wherever plastic and paper are accepted.
However, the most eco-friendly option is still for customers to bring their own reusable coffee cups. Tim Hortons has stated they plan to allow the use of reusable cups for Take 12 orders in the future[^7^].
Take 12‘s Role in Tim Hortons‘ Business Strategy
From a business perspective, Take 12 serves several strategic purposes for Tim Hortons:
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Encouraging larger orders – By offering a discount for buying 12 coffees together, Take 12 incentivizes customers to make larger purchases than they might otherwise. This helps drive up the average order value.
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Appealing to groups – Take 12 makes Tim Hortons a go-to choice for supplying coffee to workplace meetings, social gatherings, and group events. This expands their customer base beyond individual consumers.
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Competing with catering and delivery – Take 12 allows Tim Hortons to capture some of the business that might otherwise go to coffee shops that offer catering or delivery options for group orders. It provides a more affordable, self-serve alternative.
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Operational efficiency – Packaging 12 coffees together in one box with all the necessary additions is more operationally efficient for Tim Hortons staff than preparing 12 separate orders. It reduces packaging and speeds up service.
In the fiscal year 2022, Tim Hortons Canada‘s same-store sales saw over 15% growth[^8^]. Take 12 orders boost coffee sales specifically, which is a key driver of revenue for the company.
Use Cases and Benefits of Take 12
Tim Hortons Take 12 is popular for a wide variety of scenarios where coffee is needed for a group:
- Workplace meetings or events
- Social gatherings like parties or church groups
- Sports teams or club meetups
- Road trips or group outings
- University study groups
Anywhere you have about a dozen people who could use some coffee, Take 12 offers a convenient solution. Its benefits include:
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Cost savings – As discussed, Take 12 is cheaper than buying the same number of coffees individually. It offers savings of nearly $5 on 12 coffees.
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Convenience – Take 12 includes everything needed to serve and customize 12 cups of coffee in one package. No need to collect individual orders or carry multiple trays.
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Consistent quality – With Take 12, you get the same classic Tim Hortons coffee experience that Canadians know and love. It takes the guesswork out of trying to satisfy a group‘s varying taste preferences.
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Easy transport – The Take 12 box is designed for easy transport from the counter to your destination. The rolled rim cups and snap-on lids prevent spills.
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Customization – Each person can prepare their coffee how they like it with the provided cream, sugar, and stirring sticks. Take 12 accommodates both those who take it black and those who like to add a little something.
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Shareable snacks – Take 12 pairs perfectly with shareable Tim Hortons treats like Timbits or donuts for a full coffee break experience.
Tim Hortons Take 12 FAQ
To round out this ultimate guide, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Tim Hortons Take 12:
How many people does a Take 12 serve?
As the name implies, Take 12 includes enough coffee and supplies for 12 people to each have one 8 oz cup.
Can I get decaf coffee in a Take 12?
Unfortunately, Tim Hortons does not currently offer decaf coffee as an option for Take 12. You can only choose from original blend, dark roast, or double double.
Is Take 12 available for delivery?
Take 12 itself is not available for delivery through the Tim Hortons app or website. However, you may be able to place a Take 12 order for pickup through the app and then have it delivered by a third-party service like SkipTheDishes or UberEats.
How long will a Take 12 stay hot?
The Take 12 box is designed to maintain coffee temperature during transport of around 30 minutes. But the heat retention will depend on the outside temperature and how frequently the box is opened. Ideally, you‘ll want to consume the coffee within an hour for the best quality.
Does Take 12 come with milk?
No, Take 12 does not come with milk, only 18% coffee cream cups. If you have group members who prefer milk or a non-dairy alternative, you‘ll need to provide that separately.
How can I keep Take 12 coffee hot for longer?
If you need to keep a Take 12 hot for an extended period, you can transfer the coffee to insulated carafes or airpots after getting it from Tim Hortons. This will maintain the temperature better than the take 12 box. You may also want to consider ordering the coffee as close as possible to when it will be consumed.
The Future of Tim Hortons Take 12
Tim Hortons has not announced any specific plans to change or expand the Take 12 offering. But there are a few potential improvements they could consider:
- Allowing customers to bring reusable cups for Take 12 orders to reduce waste
- Expanding the coffee options available, such as including decaf or iced coffee
- Offering Take 12 for delivery through the Tim Hortons app or third-party services
- Developing a more eco-friendly Take 12 box and/or cup materials
As sustainability becomes an increasing concern, it seems likely that Tim Hortons will eventually need to provide more reusable or fully recyclable options for Take 12.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tim Hortons Take 12 offers an affordable, convenient solution for groups of 12 looking to enjoy Canada‘s favorite coffee together. At about $1.79 per cup with all the fixings included, it‘s a better value than buying individual coffees.
Take 12‘s popularity reflects Tim Hortons‘ strong brand presence and the importance of group coffee orders to their business. As sustainability becomes more of a priority though, Tim Hortons may need to make some changes to Take 12 packaging in the future.
For now, Take 12 remains an easy go-to choice loved by coffee drinkers across Canada for workplace meetings, social gatherings, road trips, and more. Its consistent quality, customizability, and transportable format make it a winning coffee option for groups on the go.
[^1^]: "About Us," Tim Hortons, accessed May 14, 2023, https://company.timhortons.com/us/en/index.php.[^2^]: "Tim Hortons: Brewing a National Icon," The Canadian Encyclopedia, last modified March 20, 2023, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/tim-hortons-brewing-a-national-icon.
[^3^]: "Grab & Go," Tim Hortons, accessed May 14, 2023, https://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/menu/grab-and-go.php.
[^4^]: "Donuts & Timbits," Tim Hortons, accessed May 14, 2023, https://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/menu/donuts-and-timbits.php.
[^5^]: Jake Edmiston, "Inside the Decades-Long Fight to Improve the Tim Hortons Coffee Cup," Financial Post, January 10, 2023, https://financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/inside-the-decades-long-fight-to-improve-the-tim-hortons-coffee-cup.
[^6^]: "Frequently Asked Questions," Tim Hortons Sustainability, accessed May 14, 2023, https://sustainability.timhortons.com/faq.php.
[^7^]: "Frequently Asked Questions," Tim Hortons Sustainability.
[^8^]: "Restaurant Brands International Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2022 Results," press release, RBI, February 14, 2023, https://www.rbi.com/English/investors/press-releases/press-release-details/2023/Restaurant-Brands-International-Reports-Full-Year-and-Fourth-Quarter-2022-Results/default.aspx.
