Dunkin' vs Tim Hortons 2026: Price, Menu & Market
Dunkin' operates 9,660+ US locations with stronger food diversity and aggressive expansion, while Tim Hortons dominates Canada with 4,000+ locations and maintains cultural significance despite slower growth and operational challenges.
Dunkin'
American quick-service chain specializing in donuts, coffee, and bagels with 9,500 locations.
US consumers seeking affordable, convenient coffee with food variety; busy professionals wanting quick meals; regular commuters
Tim Hortons
Canadian coffee and donut chain owned by Restaurant Brands International with strong cultural presence
Canadian consumers seeking authentic donut quality and cultural familiarity; those prioritizing premium coffee experience; Tim Hortons loyalty members
Quick Answer
AI SummaryDunkin' operates 9,660+ US locations with stronger food diversity and aggressive expansion, while Tim Hortons dominates Canada with 4,000+ locations and maintains cultural significance despite slower growth and operational challenges.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose Dunkin' if you value menu variety, competitive pricing, consistent US availability, and stronger customer satisfaction ratings. Choose Tim Hortons if you're in Canada where it's culturally dominant and deeply embedded in local communities, or prefer a simpler focused menu of premium donuts and coffee.
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Choose Dunkin' if
Best pickUS consumers seeking affordable, convenient coffee with food variety; busy professionals wanting quick meals; regular commuters
Choose Tim Hortons if
Canadian consumers seeking authentic donut quality and cultural familiarity; those prioritizing premium coffee experience; Tim Hortons loyalty members
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Primary Market Dominance:✓ Dunkin' wins(United States (9,660 locations) vs Canada (4,000+ locations))
- Global Locations:✓ Dunkin' wins(12,900+ worldwide vs 5,000+ worldwide)
- Food Menu Diversity:✓ Dunkin' wins(170+ menu items including sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads vs 90+ menu items focused on donuts and breakfast)
Key Facts & Figures
25 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Dunkin' | Tim Hortons | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Locations(number of restaurants) | 12,500+ | — | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $1.3B | — | — |
| Average Drink Price(USD) | ~$3 | — | — |
| Total Locations Worldwide(locations) | 12,900+ | 5,000+ | |
| United States Locations(locations) | 9,660 | 650 | |
| Canada Locations(locations) | 1,100 | 4,000+ | |
| Menu Items(items) | 170+ | 90+ | |
| Medium Coffee Price (USD)(USD) | $2.69 | $2.89 | |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2023)(score out of 100) | 76 | 72 | |
| Parent Company Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $1.49 billion | $6.17 billion | |
| Year Founded | 1950 | 1964 | |
| US Restaurant Locations(count) | 9,500+ | — | — |
| Average Unit Volume(USD millions per year) | $1.4M | — | — |
| Global Market Presence(countries) | 12 | — | — |
| Average Service Time(minutes) | 2-3 min | — | — |
| Breakfast Revenue Contribution(percent of annual revenue) | 85% | — | — |
| Mobile Loyalty Program Users(millions active users) | 15M+ | — | — |
| Brand Unaided Awareness (US)(percent) | 58% | — | — |
| Total Global Locations(stores) | 9,500 | — | — |
| Countries of Operation(countries) | 12 | — | — |
| Average Beverage Customization Options(drink variations) | 30+ | — | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 3-4 | — | — |
| Breakfast Menu Items(items) | 8 | — | — |
| Average Transaction Cost(USD) | $6-8 | — | — |
| Mobile App Order Penetration(percent of orders) | 22% | — | — |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- United States (9,660 locations)(winner)Primary Market DominanceCanada (4,000+ locations)
- 12,900+ worldwide(winner)Global Locations5,000+ worldwide
- 170+ menu items including sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads(winner)Food Menu Diversity90+ menu items focused on donuts and breakfast
- $2.69(winner)Average US Coffee Price (Medium)$2.89
- $1.49 billion (Dunkin' Brands, 2023)Parent Company Revenue (Annual)$6.17 billion (Restaurant Brands International, 2023)(winner)
- 76/100(winner)Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI 2023)72/100
- 1950Year Founded1964
- Primary Market Dominance
Dunkin'
United States (9,660 locations)(winner)
Tim Hortons
Canada (4,000+ locations)
- Global Locations
Dunkin'
12,900+ worldwide(winner)
Tim Hortons
5,000+ worldwide
- Food Menu Diversity
Dunkin'
170+ menu items including sandwiches, wraps, pasta, salads(winner)
Tim Hortons
90+ menu items focused on donuts and breakfast
- Average US Coffee Price (Medium)
Dunkin'
$2.69(winner)
Tim Hortons
$2.89
- Parent Company Revenue (Annual)
Dunkin'
$1.49 billion (Dunkin' Brands, 2023)
Tim Hortons
$6.17 billion (Restaurant Brands International, 2023)(winner)
- Customer Satisfaction Score (ACSI 2023)
Dunkin'
76/100(winner)
Tim Hortons
72/100
- Year Founded
Dunkin'
1950
Tim Hortons
1964
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Dunkin' | Tim Hortons |
|---|---|---|
| Global Locations(number of restaurants) | 12,500+ | — |
| Annual Revenue(USD Billions) | $1.3B | — |
| Average Drink Price(USD) | ~$3 | — |
| Medium Coffee Price (USD)(USD) | $2.69(winner) | $2.89 |
| Average Transaction Cost(USD) | $6-8 | — |
| Total Locations Worldwide(locations) | 12,900+(winner) | 5,000+ |
| United States Locations(locations) | 9,660(winner) | 650 |
| Canada Locations(locations) | 1,100 | 4,000+(winner) |
| Menu Items(items) | 170+(winner) | 90+ |
| Customer Satisfaction (ACSI 2023)(score out of 100) | 76(winner) | 72 |
| Parent Company Annual Revenue(USD billions) | $1.49 billion | $6.17 billion(winner) |
| Total Global Locations(stores) | 9,500 | — |
| Countries of Operation(countries) | 12 | — |
| Year Founded | 1950(winner) | 1964 |
| US Restaurant Locations(count) | 9,500+ | — |
| Average Unit Volume(USD millions per year) | $1.4M | — |
| Global Market Presence(countries) | 12 | — |
| Average Service Time(minutes) | 2-3 min | — |
| Breakfast Revenue Contribution(percent of annual revenue) | 85% | — |
| Mobile Loyalty Program Users(millions active users) | 15M+ | — |
| Menu Item Categories(primary daypart focus) | Breakfast/Coffee dominant | — |
| Brand Unaided Awareness (US)(percent) | 58% | — |
| Average Beverage Customization Options(drink variations) | 30+ | — |
| Breakfast Menu Items(items) | 8 | — |
| Average Transaction Time(minutes) | 3-4 | — |
| Mobile App Order Penetration(percent of orders) | 22% | — |
Dunkin'Tim HortonsPros & Cons
10 pros·7 cons across both
Dunkin'
Pros
- Extensive menu with 170+ items including sandwiches, wraps, and salads beyond donuts
- 9,660+ US locations providing superior accessibility and convenience
- Lower average coffee prices ($2.69 vs competitor's $2.89)
- Higher customer satisfaction score of 76/100 (ACSI 2023)
- Strong loyalty program with mobile app used by 40%+ of regular customers
Cons
- Donut quality criticized as mass-produced compared to local bakeries
- Inconsistent franchise quality across locations due to rapid expansion
- Limited international presence outside North America (12.9K locations globally vs ambitions)
Tim Hortons
Pros
- Dominant market position in Canada with 4,000+ locations and 67% brand recognition
- Premium donut reputation using higher-quality ingredients than competitors
- Part of RBI portfolio providing access to Burger King and Popeyes synergies
- Stronger cold brew coffee program with seasonal specialty drinks
- Cultural icon in Canada with deep community loyalty
Cons
- Operational complaints including longer wait times and inconsistent service (2023 franchise scandal)
- Limited food menu diversity focused narrowly on donuts and breakfast
- Higher pricing with fewer value options than Dunkin'
- Slower expansion rate with declining store count in some Canadian regions
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Tim Hortons emphasizes premium coffee sourcing and has a stronger cold brew program, but Dunkin' customers report higher overall satisfaction (76 vs 72 ACSI score, 2023). Quality varies by individual location and personal taste preference. Tim Hortons' coffee is often preferred by specialty drink enthusiasts, while Dunkin' appeals to value-conscious coffee drinkers.
Resources & Learn More
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