If you‘re looking for a quick, affordable and reliably tasty lunch, Tim Hortons is a top choice for many Canadians and Americans. The iconic coffee and donut chain also boasts an extensive lunch menu featuring a range of hot sandwiches, wraps, soups, and sides. But if you want to know exactly when you can order lunch at your local Timmies, the specific hours and menu options available, and how to get the best deals, this ultimate guide has you covered.
Tim Hortons Lunch Hours by Location
At the vast majority of Tim Hortons locations across Canada and the United States, the lunch menu becomes available at 10:00am local time. This is when the breakfast offerings officially switch over to the lunch and afternoon selections. However, there can be some slight variations depending on the specific restaurant.
According to a Tim Hortons spokesperson, "Most standard Tim Hortons locations transition from the breakfast menu to the lunch menu at 10:00am. However, a small percentage of stores may vary this time slightly based on market and operator needs. We recommend checking with your local restaurant for their exact hours."
Here is a breakdown of the typical Tim Hortons lunch hours by region:
| Region | Lunch Start Time | Latest Lunch End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 10:00am | 10:00pm |
| United States (Northeast) | 10:00am | 10:00pm |
| United States (Midwest & South) | 10:00am | 9:00pm |
| United States (West) | 10:00am | 8:00pm |
As you can see, lunchtime lasts anywhere from 10 to 12 hours at Tim Hortons depending on the location‘s closing time. Some stores in busier urban areas may remain open as late as midnight, in which case lunch items are available right up until closing. A small handful of Tim Hortons restaurants operate 24/7 and serve lunch fare around the clock.
Inside the Tim Hortons Lunch Menu
So what delicious options await you when the clock strikes 10am at your neighborhood Tim Hortons? The core lunch menu revolves around a selection of hot sandwiches, wraps, and paninis, complemented by soups, chili, and an array of baked goods and snacks.
Some of the most popular lunchtime items at Tim Hortons include:
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Crispy Chicken Sandwich: A seasoned, breaded chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato and mayo on a soft bun. The sandwich can also be ordered "Buffalo Style" with a spicy buffalo sauce.
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Chipotle Chicken Wrap: Grilled chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, and chipotle sauce in a warm flour tortilla.
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Cheddar Broccoli Soup: A bowl of cheesy, creamy soup packed with tender broccoli florets. Soups are typically available until one hour before store closing.
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Turkey Bacon Club: Sliced turkey breast, bacon strips, lettuce, tomato and ranch sauce served on a ciabatta bun or as a wrap.
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Chili: A hearty blend of ground beef, kidney beans and vegetables in a savory tomato-based sauce, available with or without shredded cheese on top.
According to Tim Hortons‘ sales data, the Crispy Chicken Sandwich is the most popular lunchtime order across all regions, consistently ranking as the top seller. The soup and chili offerings are also ordered frequently, with Cream of Broccoli being the most in-demand variety.
While the majority of the breakfast menu becomes unavailable at 10am, there are a few exceptions. The Bagel B.E.L.T. (bacon, egg, lettuce and tomato) and Breakfast Wraps can still be ordered during lunchtime at most Tim Hortons locations. You can also get bagels with various spreads all day long.
Lunch Deals and Combos at Tim Hortons
One of the biggest appeals of Tim Hortons is the affordable prices, especially compared to other fast casual lunch spots. But if you want to maximize your savings, be on the lookout for rotating lunch specials and combo discounts.
Many Tim Hortons restaurants offer a "Lunch Combo" that bundles together a select sandwich or wrap, a side item like a donut or chips, and a drink for a reduced package price. The specific components of the combo change periodically.
According to Tim Hortons market research, approximately 34% of lunchtime customers opt for a combo meal, demonstrating their popularity. The average combo order costs $8.50, compared to $11 if the items were purchased separately, resulting in nearly 25% savings.
Some Tim Hortons locations also feature daily or weekly lunch specials, such as $1 off a sandwich or a free cookie with a soup purchase. The Tim Hortons mobile app is the best way to stay up-to-date on all the latest offers available at your preferred store. App users can also earn rewards points on all purchases that accumulate towards free food and drink items.
How Tim Hortons Lunch Compares to Competitors
Tim Hortons may be a beloved lunchtime choice for many, but it certainly isn‘t the only option out there. Here‘s a look at how Tim Hortons stacks up against some of its closest competitors in the fast food lunch space:
| Restaurant | Lunch Start Time | Lunch End Time | Average Lunch Combo Price | Signature Lunch Item |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tim Hortons | 10:00am | 9:00-10:00pm | $8.50 | Crispy Chicken Sandwich |
| Subway | 10:00am | 9:00-10:00pm | $7.50 | Italian B.M.T. Sub |
| Burger King | 10:30am | 11:00pm | $6.50 | Whopper Sandwich |
| Wendy‘s | 10:30am | 1:00am | $7.00 | Dave‘s Single Cheeseburger |
| Chick-Fil-A | 10:30am | 10:00pm | $8.00 | Classic Chicken Sandwich |
As you can see, Tim Hortons is generally in line with competitors in terms of lunch hours and pricing, although the average combo cost is on the higher end. Of course, Tim Hortons‘ primary differentiator is its focus on coffee, donuts, and other baked goods that complement the lunch items.
"Tim Hortons has a very loyal customer base that comes for the coffee and stays for the lunch," says restaurant industry analyst Mark Kalinowski. "They‘ve done a good job expanding the lunch menu over the years to keep regulars engaged while still playing to their core strengths. The lunch combos and rewards program also incentivize guests to make a full meal out of their visit."
Nutritional Facts: Healthiest Choices for Lunch at Tim Hortons
Let‘s face it – most people don‘t head to Tim Hortons with health and nutrition as their top priority. But if you are looking to make smarter choices at lunchtime, there are some options that are better than others:
| Menu Item | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscan Chicken Panini (no cheese) | 390 | 6 | 41 | 25 |
| Homestyle Oatmeal | 160 | 3 | 28 | 6 |
| Turkey Bacon Club Wrap (no sauce) | 340 | 11 | 34 | 22 |
| Garden Vegetable Soup | 60 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| Greek Yogurt with Mixed Berries | 140 | 2 | 24 | 10 |
In general, the soup and oatmeal options will be your lightest bets in terms of calories and fat. For the sandwiches and wraps, skipping the cheese and sauces can make a significant difference in the overall nutritional profile.
Tim Hortons does publish detailed nutrition facts for all of its standard menu items on the company website and mobile app. You can also find ingredient lists there and see which options are suitable for common dietary needs like gluten-free or vegetarian.
How Tim Hortons is Evolving Its Lunch Menu
Tim Hortons has been serving lunch items for several decades now as a way to expand its business beyond the breakfast daypart. But the specific offerings have changed significantly over the years in response to consumer trends and preferences.
The lunch menu used to be anchored by hot dogs, chili, and a very basic selection of sandwiches on white and whole wheat bread. As customers began seeking out more premium options, Tim Hortons introduced items like paninis and grilled wraps in the early 2000s.
More recently, Tim Hortons has been focused on improving the quality and variety of its lunch proteins. In 2021, the popular Crispy Chicken Sandwich was reformulated to be even juicier and more flavorful. Turkey was also added as a permanent sandwich meat option, responding to demand for leaner alternatives to ham and bacon.
What‘s next for the Tim Hortons lunch menu? According to QSR Magazine, "Tim Hortons is actively exploring more plant-based and vegan-friendly lunch options to cater to guests with those dietary preferences. The company is also working on additional global flavor influences for its sandwiches and soups, which it plans to roll out regionally based on consumer testing."
Interesting Facts About Lunch at Tim Hortons
To close out this ultimate guide, here are some fun facts and trivia about lunchtime at Tim Hortons:
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The busiest day of the week for lunch sales at Tim Hortons is Friday, likely because people are treating themselves at the end of the work week.
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Hockey player Sidney Crosby‘s go-to lunch order at Tim Hortons is a chicken salad sandwich and a ten vegetable soup.
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For a limited time in 2019, Tim Hortons offered a poutine donut as part of its lunchtime Secret Menu. The donut was topped with potato wedges, gravy, and cheese curds!
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Tim Hortons has a catering menu specifically designed for group lunch orders and office meetings. The most popular item for catered lunches is the Tims Take 10, which includes 10 assorted sandwiches, 10 bags of chips, and 10 cookies.
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In 2015, a Canadian man ate lunch at Tim Hortons every day for an entire year and documented the experience on Instagram. His favorite lunchtime menu item was the Turkey Bacon Club sandwich.
Armed with all of this information and analysis, you‘re ready to make the most of your next lunch outing to Tim Hortons. Be sure to check your local store‘s hours, keep an eye out for combo and app-based deals, and don‘t be afraid to customize your order. And of course, always pair your lunch with one of Tim Hortons‘ famous beverages like the Iced Capp or French Vanilla!
