Any thoughts on a "Canadian Icon" getting bought? - Page 2

lio45 · #21 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 9:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

It's not a national icon, it's a fuckin' business. I hate Tim Horton's patriotism-pandering advertising. It certainly is effective though.

FWIW, businesses can be icons too. The Habs, Leafs are businesses. McDonald's, Coca-Cola, etc. could be said to be icons... auto companies too; aren't BMW and Daimler-Benz German "icons"? How about Ferrari, Lamborghini? They're fuckin' businesses too... I suppose they've managed to brainwash Italians into being proud of them somehow, even though they're in fact nothing more than simple for-profit organisations caring only for their own selves?

(Note that in the thread title I made sure to put the word icon in quotation marks, anyway...)

MonctonRad · #22 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 10:10 PM**

We have quite a few Tim's/Wendy's combo stores here in the Maritimes (including two here in Moncton). I wonder what'll happen with that???

MonkeyRonin · #23 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 10:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lio45

FWIW, businesses can be icons too. The Habs, Leafs are businesses. McDonald's, Coca-Cola, etc. could be said to be icons... auto companies too; aren't BMW and Daimler-Benz German "icons"? How about Ferrari, Lamborghini? They're fuckin' businesses too... I suppose they've managed to brainwash Italians into being proud of them somehow, even though they're in fact nothing more than simple for-profit organisations caring only for their own selves?

Well sure, but most of those have long histories and/or deliver quality products that people can have good reason to be proud of. Many of our civic institutions and the buildings that comprise our cities are businesses too.

But Tim Horton's is a crappy fast food chain with manipulative marketing.

geotag277 · #24 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 10:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilippeMtl

If Tim Horton is a Canadian icon, it shows how dull our country is.

McDonalds is also an icon. It represents capitalism, success, and a world famous brand. McDonalds itself is a relatively dull business but it doesn't take away from it's impact.

memememe76 · #25 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 10:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyRonin

Well sure, but most of those have long histories and/or deliver quality products that people can have good reason to be proud of. Many of our civic institutions and the buildings that comprise our cities are businesses too.

But Tim Horton's is a crappy fast food chain with manipulative marketing.

The Leafs deliver a quality product?

geotag277 · #26 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 10:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lio45

Not at all... the staff is generally far superior at McDonald's.

I don't know of any chain out there that's at the level of Tim's or even close to it. It's the worst out there by far.

McDonalds does everything better. Everything from general franchise support down to staff hiring and training. McDonalds churns out well run, well managed, profitable franchises like a well oiled machine, Tim Hortans is relatively "give us money to put our sign outside now sink or swim".

Gerrard · #27 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 11:08 PM**

I'm beside myself with grief. Well not really. But all joking aside, the only time I find myself drinking that swill is when I'm doing something quintessentially Canadian, like cross border shopping.

lio45 · #28 Posted **Aug 27, 2014, 11:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by memememe76

The Leafs deliver a quality product?

"...have long histories and/or deliver quality products..."

Note the and/or. The Leafs... have a long history, can't deny that

Jaws · #29 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 1:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lio45

Not at all... the staff is generally far superior at McDonald's.

I don't know of any chain out there that's at the level of Tim's or even close to it. It's the worst out there by far.

You must not have the Filipino foreign workers at TH in QC. They're very good.

Innsertnamehere · #30 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 3:03 AM**

really? cause for me its more like:

"We have no white bagels". what bagel you want? *glares at me expectantly*, then somewhat rhetorically asks "Sesame?", as she is already putting it in the toaster.

Its no different at any tims, the workers are all like that. I think its the work environment, they place way too much importance on drive thru times and quality and service suffers greatly due to it.

1overcosc · #31 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 3:23 AM**

It most definitely is the work environment. Tims is a bottom of the barrel employer. Even by fast food/retail standards the job is crap. Wages, benefits, and working conditions are the absolute minimum allowed for by provincial labour laws. Even places like McDonalds and Walmart are better to work for than Tims. So, naturally, you attract the worst staff.

ssiguy · #32 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 4:37 AM**

Who knows, with these changes they may even bring in a radical idea.......that people at the damn drive-thru can speak the language!

As far as Timmy's going American I don't really care too much as long as the jobs are saved in Oakville. What would REALLY bother me is if Hudson's Bay were bought out. The Bay helped create Canada and is more of an icon, it's a part of the very fabric of our history.

Doug · #33 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 6:33 AM**

About time Canada got into the corporate inversion game. Why let the EU enjoy all the side benefits of the messed up US corporate tax system?

1ajs · #34 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 6:53 AM**

doesnt wendies own tims?

Doug · #35 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 7:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ajs

doesnt wendies own tims?

Not since about 2008

Taeolas · #36 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 11:18 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Not since about 2008

IIRC, Wendy's shareholders made them spin off Tim's again, because the Burger chain was weighing down the Donut chain.

Probably when the States gets around to closing this tax loophole, BK will spin Tim's off again, leaving a legacy of combo BK/Tim stores (probably across the road from the Wendys/Tim stores).

Otherwise, I'm indifferent to this change; since it has been done before and it seems (on paper at least) a net plus for Canada.

On other boards, I've seen some people a bit hopeful that BK's international presence might see Tim's spreading beyond North America. (Why I'm not sure, but they seem eager for it)

SignalHillHiker · #37 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 11:30 AM**

Just pride, I think. I love seeing Newfoundland food sections in mainland supermarkets. Probably a similar thing.

Stryker · #38 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 12:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

really? cause for me its more like:

"We have no white bagels". what bagel you want? *glares at me expectantly*, then somewhat rhetorically asks "Sesame?", as she is already putting it in the toaster.

Its no different at any tims, the workers are all like that. I think its the work environment, they place way too much importance on drive thru times and quality and service suffers greatly due to it.

This is why I always goto starbucks.

nice cute girl, who always acts as cheery as old hell.

Be clear I hate both, but atleast starbucks earns my keep with good staffing.

Bcasey25raptor · #39 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 12:54 PM**

I never understood why people even ate at Tim Hortons.

The coffee is mud water, the donuts are stale, and their breakfast foods and wraps are rubbery.

Nothing good at all about Tims aside from the price which arguably is very cheap.

1overcosc · #40 Posted **Aug 28, 2014, 2:23 PM**

Very cheap is the appeal. You get what you pay for, and people are willing to get crap if its cheap.