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Tim Hortons: Zagat Survey Of Fast Food Ranks Chain In Top 5 For First Time

Tim Hortons A Top 5 Coffee Chain In U.S.: Zagat
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They like us, they really like us!

Well, they like Tim Hortons coffee anyway. And its decor and service, too, according to the latest survey of fast food chains from Zagat.

The restaurant guide ranked Canada’s most popular coffee and donut chain fifth overall in the “quick refreshments” category for 2012, the first time the chain made the top five, and up from 22nd spot last year. Tim Hortons also took fifth spot for service and decor.

Ahead of Timmies in the rankings were Caribou Coffee, in first place, followed by Rita’s Italian Ice, Peet’s Coffee/Tea and Culver’s.

Mike Meilleur, executive vice president for Tim Hortons U.S., said in a statement the company was “flattered” by its inclusion on the list, and that the listing was “an outstanding recognition” for the chain’s restaurant owners and workers.

In my opinion, they’re definitely gaining recognition,” Edward Jones Co. restaurant analyst Brian Yarbrough told Bloomberg News. “Is that the coffee? Is that the ice coffees and the smoothies and food all combined? But definitely, when you’re putting up some of the best sales numbers in the industry I’ve got to believe you’re gaining some share.”

Tim Hortons has been expanding aggressively in the U.S. in recent years, opening a much-publicized Times Square location in 2009, and the chain now has more than 700 stores south of the border, located mostly in the northwest and midwest.

In Canada, the chain boasts of controlling 62 per cent of the coffee market.

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