More

Tim Hortons Roll Up The Rim 2012: 5 Facts You Should Know About This Iconic Promotion

Tim Hortons Roll Up The Rim

The Huffington Post Canada   First Posted: 02/22/2012 11:36 am Updated: 02/22/2012 11:43 am

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

Tim Hortons’ Roll Up The Rim To Win contest is back for its 26th year, and the company behind Canada’s most successful fast food chain is promising $60 million in prizes for 2012.

Since it began in 1986, Roll Up The Rim has become an icon of Canadian consumerism and one of the most closely followed promotions in the country’s history, with 88 per cent of prizes typically redeemed.

This year’s contest features “one of the biggest prize pools ever,” the company boasts, and among the prizes are 40 Toyota Camry Hybrids, 100 Panasonic 3D TVs, 25,000 $100 Tim cards and 47 million food prizes, among others.

But the contest wasn’t always so generous. When it began in 1986, as what the company calls a “thank-you” to Tim Hortons customers, the largest prize was a snack pack of Timbits.

Here are some other facts about Roll Up The Rim -- plus check out our gallery of what Twitterers are saying about #RollUpTheRim.

Loading Slideshow...

  • 5 Facts About Roll Up The Rim To Win

    Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

  • Biggest Prize In Its First Year: Timbits

    When Timmies launched Roll Up The Rim in 1986 as a "thank-you" to customers, the largest prize was a snack box of Timbits. Needless to say, the contest has grown in scope since then. Photo: Flickr/Calgary Reviews

  • Uneven Prize Distribution

    If you live on Prince Edward Island, your chances of winning a Roll Up The Rim prize are considerably better than if you live in Ontario. That's because Tim Hortons spreads prizes across the country according to geography, not population density. "<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2006/03/15/timhortons-060315.html" target="_hplink">If it was all equalized, some places like P.E.I. or New Brunswick might not get one at all</a>," a Timmies rep said. "This is just about trying to create some excitement." Photo: Flickr/n_wilsey

  • Roll Up The Rim: Kandahar Edition

    Until last year, Timmies' famous promotion extended to its location in Afghanistan, which the company set up to serve Canadian soldiers. The Afghan version of the promo featured its own set of prizes, but Tim Hortons' presence in Agfhanistan has <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/11/24/tim-hortons-pulls-out-of-kandahar_n_1111974.html" target="_hplink">come to a close with Canada's reduced role in the war</a>. Photo: Canadian troops in Kandahar, Afghanistan line up for donuts and coffee at Tim Hortons, Thursday Jun 29, 2006. (CP PHOTO/ John Cotter)

  • Only 56 Per Cent Can RRRoll Up The RRRim

    According to a study commissioned by Tim Hortons, <a href="http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/780275/tim-hortons-roll-up-the-rim-to-win-celebrates-25-years-with-better-odds-one-in-six-chances-and-more-prizes-than-ever" target="_hplink">only 56 per cent of Canadians can roll their r's like the Timmies commercials show</a>. Only one in five can hold a rolled 'r' for more than 15 seconds, and men appear to be better at it than women. (Alamy photo)

  • 387 Million Prizes In 25 Years

    As one of the country's longest-running promotions, Roll Up the Rim has handed out some 387 million prizes since its launch. Says Bill Moir,Tim Hortons' chief brand and marketing officer: "Roll Up the Rim to Win is not only an important part of Tim Hortons' history, it has become an annual Canadian tradition." Photo: Tim Hortons President and CEO Donald B. Schroeder speaks at the company's AGM in Toronto on May 13, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Ashley Crawford
1  of  14
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT >   |   < PREV
RATE IT!   |  
VOTE
CURRENT TOP 5 PICK YOUR OWN TOP 5
USERS WHO VOTED
NEW! CREATE YOUR OWN SLIDESHOW

FOLLOW HUFFPOST CANADA BUSINESS

Tim Hortons’ Roll Up The Rim To Win contest is back for its 26th year, and the company behind Canada’s most successful fast food chain is promising $60 million in prizes for 2012. Since it bega...
Tim Hortons’ Roll Up The Rim To Win contest is back for its 26th year, and the company behind Canada’s most successful fast food chain is promising $60 million in prizes for 2012. Since it bega...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

Read more from Huffington Post bloggers:
David Gratzer

David Gratzer: Canada's Super-Sized Economy

Tim Hortons is supersizing their coffee. And that's all you need to know about the Canadian economy. It speaks of prosperity at a time of unease -- a major coffee chain attempting to increase sales when the chains in other countries are laying off workers. But there are, of course, storm clouds on the horizon.
Yoni Freedhoff M.D.

Yoni Freedhoff M.D. : Tim Hortons Junkies, Prepare to Gain Weight

Did you hear that some Tim Hortons locations are getting rid of their smallest size coffee and shifting everything else up to one size larger? Let's say you're a double-double drinker. If you continue to order up the same, given Tim's new larger sizes, how many extra calories could you be consuming a year?

 
 
  • Comments
  • 47
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
pttrsfr
0 Fans
04:56 PM on 02/24/2012
you forgot to add that roll up the rim is the worst time for littering by coffee drinkers
Permalink  |
photo
fromdnorth
OK I checked my micro-bio (didn't know I had one
1788 Fans
10:09 AM on 02/24/2012
Is this free advertizing?
Permalink  |
photo
Larry604
2 Fans
05:37 AM on 02/23/2012
I've always loved Tim Horton's coffee. Strangely, I've always hated coffee. Thankfully Tim Horton's regular french vanilla coffee doesn't taste like coffee at all.
Permalink  |
smileaway03
11 Fans
02:02 PM on 02/23/2012
Because it's not coffee. It's powder based. More comparable to hot chocolate than coffee.
Permalink  |
photo
butchcliff
The future is unwritten
259 Fans
05:16 AM on 02/23/2012
Bend & flatten the prize rim part first. Makes it easier to roll out & see ...sorry try again
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
geminivoyager
13 Fans
02:12 AM on 02/23/2012
it's just like coffee... but different
Permalink  |
photo
brianmouland
25 Fans
 
01:28 AM on 02/23/2012
Bad coffee, microwave doughnuts, naw
Permalink  |
photo
Derek Junior Kelly
1 Fans
11:56 PM on 02/22/2012
i think canada is right but legilation on the internet is not a canada or usa rule in 1980 netscape made a bid rule for internet you can monitor data backup but no country owns anything you need jursidiction rule was never a rule and bill30 is not a internet rule so if you want a rule that sticks every country in the world will need their rule or bill c30 then it will be modified to internet rule and that will stick and requires billions and will that go world wide then will take 10 years in the courts i know that for a fact so don t go public until thats done
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
AndrewJacksonSr
24 Fans
02:35 AM on 02/23/2012
Here's a comma and a period. (, .)
Permalink  |
smileaway03
11 Fans
02:09 PM on 02/23/2012
If I had any urge to find the link to the actual article you should be commenting on I would give you that too.
Permalink  |
raguirre27
0 Fans
07:30 PM on 02/22/2012
"Roll Up the Rim" season only means that we'll see more Tim's cups on the ground.

In order to promote environmental awareness, Tim Horton's should promote more of a "scratch-and-win" approach. For instance, if one brings in a thermos or tumbler, instead of receiving an empty cup, they should receive TWO "scratch-and-win" tickets as a reward for thinking about saving cup use.

But of course, that would defeat the purpose of "Roll Up the Rim".
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
viennawoods
An optimistic cynic.
361 Fans
07:24 PM on 02/22/2012
They left out the most important fact. The coffee sucks, and the doughnuts are pretty crappy too. Especially since they started baking stuff off-premise and shipping them in.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Alain Posteur
15 Fans
07:10 PM on 02/22/2012
Canada is such a depressing country...
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
LIONNYC
102 Fans
08:21 AM on 02/23/2012
Really? Not MY Canada!
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Alain Posteur
15 Fans
08:34 AM on 02/23/2012
When Tim Horton's is a national religion, its depressing. I mean no disrespect. I'm actually sorry that a vast amount of Canadians simply don't know better.

The food is atrociously disgusting, and its probably the worst coffee ever. When you've had a coffee in any coffee shop in Italy or Paris, a Turkish coffee in Istanbul, ... you just can't call "coffee" the brown juice that millions of Canadians wait in their cars for, every morning, in long depressing lines of polluting cars...

Its just so, so sad. Really.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wallinmark
like shows;Mentilist, Bones ,Transformers,a Knight
98 Fans
10:51 AM on 02/23/2012
Move some where else.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Alain Posteur
15 Fans
10:57 AM on 02/23/2012
I voted OUI...
Permalink  |
sunnydee07
"Your micro-bio is empty". Yes, yes it is.
108 Fans
04:23 PM on 02/22/2012
Ohmygosh, calm down! It's a fun little lottery for coffee/tea drinkers. No one's forcing you to buy 4-5 coffees a day to try and win a prize. And if they do, at least they have the coffee/tea and haven't lost out. Sounds like some of you guys never win - too bad! I got my first yesterday and won a coffee for this morning - and the free one comes with another roll up cup to win again.

It's a great promotion. Other companies must be drooling to have the kind of customer interest and loyalty that drives this year after year.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wallinmark
like shows;Mentilist, Bones ,Transformers,a Knight
98 Fans
11:01 AM on 02/23/2012
Yah ,don't drink it.or should we say stop drinking it and saying its sour ? You can sure tell the difference between Canada and the USA we argue about coffee and they ,well I'll stop here.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
piceaglauca
The picture says it all....
294 Fans
 
04:23 PM on 02/22/2012
Why can't we go for fewer prizes and more winners? With all the new stores popping up the likelihood of a winning chance is pretty weak . How many coffees do you have to buy before a winning cup of coffee comes up or donut? I don't plan to change my spending habits just to increase their fortunes. I hate promos that really don't help anyone. I prefer their send a kid to camp fund a better approach. Why don't they get involved with a save the children fund?
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Warren Yuill
Jesus Built My Hot-Rod
209 Fans
03:55 PM on 02/22/2012
The only good thing about Tims coffee is it's consistant quality from coast to coast. Drive across Canada and you'll see what I mean. You'll find yourself some morning, getting truckstop coffe that tastes like it was brewed in a rubber boot and you will miss Tim's I gaurante. First Tim's you see, you'll stop.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rickthaluddite
What noisy cats are we
426 Fans
 
01:22 AM on 02/23/2012
Tim Hortons coffee in Fergus, Ontario is horrible. Tim Hortons coffee on Silvercreek Pkwy in Guelph, Ontario (just 20km away) is excellent. I'm not really loyal to any coffee retailer, but I will say Tim Hortons customers are the worst litterbugs in the country-- they should give more than a 10 cent discount if you bring your own travel mug.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Warren Yuill
Jesus Built My Hot-Rod
209 Fans
08:10 AM on 02/23/2012
Just go to any job site. Its ridiculous how many timmy cups are left scattered around.
That and energy drinks. Seems like the new generation is incapable of accomplishing a days work without stimulants. Its like watching a bunch of junkies. Can't be healthy.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
wallinmark
like shows;Mentilist, Bones ,Transformers,a Knight
98 Fans
11:06 AM on 02/23/2012
I had to go to a Starbucks on holidays last summer to ask where the Timmy's was at. I've felt Starbucks burn's the beans while rosting. While in Havana you get the Best Coffee and you can bring home bags of it.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Warren Yuill
Jesus Built My Hot-Rod
209 Fans
03:01 PM on 02/23/2012
My dads going to Cuba in a coupla weeks
Ill get him to grab me some coffee.
can't say as i've had it before so...
Cheers dude
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nanaofmysky
Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
182 Fans
 
03:19 PM on 02/22/2012
Rollup the rim! Give me a break. Nothing but a rip off! I know someone who would buy4/5 coffees a day everyday. ALL he ever won was coffee or donuts (which suck by the way ) Same with others who worked with him.Only coffee or donuts. The last time I got a Timmie's coffee I was sick for 3 days. I do not go there at all now. ROLL UP THE RIM AND GET RIPPED OFF.Coffee is better at MacD's.
Permalink  |
photo
Opus Fideo
Atheist. Social Democrat. Canadian.
4148 Fans
03:58 PM on 02/22/2012
I know people who have played the lottery for years and never won anything. But unlike the lottery where you just lose your money and get nothing in return, with this TH promo, at least you still get the same coffee you would otherwise get and at the same price. They aren't increasing the price of their products during the promo. So quit your complainin'
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nanaofmysky
Adopt from a rescue or shelter.
182 Fans
 
04:25 PM on 02/22/2012
Just stating a fact! People want to waste their money on crappy coffee for a chance to win another crappy coffee so be it.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rickthaluddite
What noisy cats are we
426 Fans
 
01:27 AM on 02/23/2012
I've won a few coffees and doughnuts over the years. I did also win a barbeque about ten years ago.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Victor Saymong
Canuck up Toronto way
282 Fans
12:16 PM on 02/22/2012
More like Roll Up The Ripoff
Permalink  |
photo
Opus Fideo
Atheist. Social Democrat. Canadian.
4148 Fans
04:00 PM on 02/22/2012
how are you getting ripped off? You pay for a coffee, and you get a coffee... oh and hey you get a free contest to participate in. Boohoo you didn't win. Did anyone ever guarantee you would? Did you pay to play? No, you paid for a coffee and you got a free chance to play in this contest that you were in no way obligated to participate in.

Talk about whiners...
Permalink  |
photo
brianmouland
25 Fans
 
01:31 AM on 02/23/2012
Love those guys who spend $75 a week on Timmys during the promotion and brag that they won a free doughnut.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Victor Saymong
Canuck up Toronto way
282 Fans
11:31 AM on 02/23/2012
Exactly my point. It is not that people are getting a bonus with a coffee they might get anyway. It is about the fraud that you can actually roll up the rim without pliers or your teeth. It's about unequal distribution. It's about luring people in to buy more of your product on the pretense they might - MIGHT - win fabulous prizes when the reality is they may - if anything - win a donut or a coffee. Sure, they are free to not buy but let's be real here. Contests are run to increase traffic and sales, not to gie stuff away.
Permalink  |