As the sun rose over Austin's burgeoning coffee scene this past weekend, a new player emerged onto the field, with Canada's Tim Hortons making its Central Texas debut to the delight and dedication of a caffeinated crowd. According to MySA, eager patrons began queuing up at 8 p.m. on the eve of the store's opening, enduring nearly a ten-hour wait, fueled by the prospect of snagging free coffee for a year - a promise kept to the first 50 individuals in line at the new location at 16201 Ranch Road 620 N., Austin.
Franchisee owner Jim Kolkhorst was met with the task of breaking the news to latecomers that they were not among the coveted first 50 as he himself and crew arrived to prepare for the grand opening at 3 a.m., by which time an astounding 130 cars had gathered, "It's been an astounding reception," Kolkhorst said in a statement obtained by MySA. Kolkhorst is no stranger to the franchise game, with several Burger Kings under his belt, shared ownership with Tim Hortons' parent company—Restaurant Brands International; after earning franchisee of the year in 2022, Kolkhorst plans to expand, with up to 10 Tim Hortons outlets projected for Williamson County.
The grand opening on December 21 boasted not just free coffee but an array of festivities tailored for the holidays with Lone Star Live reporting a themed hot cocoa bar, complimentary hot chocolate, and coffee sampling, a station for penning letters to Santa, along with a valued photo opportunity,as the store swept into the festive spirit. Amidst carols sung by the Round Rock High School choir, attendees basked in the community buzz, and snagged promotional items, adding cheer to the caffeine-infused affair.
Tim Hortons, a brand traditionally aligning with the hearts of northern dwellers, has found an appreciative audience in Austin, embracing locals like Cynthia Gray and her husband Jim, who, keen on finding a new go-to coffee shop, expressed, "I've been wanting to check it out because we like coffee and we like donuts," in a statement to MySA. Not to be overshadowed by the beverages, Tim Hortons' doughnuts, namely the honey cruller and vanilla dip, were noted for their delectable presence, while the celebrated Timbits—normally priced between $4 to $5—were offered in a grand opening deal for merely $1.
Ensuring that their service extends into the holiday schedule, the restaurant has adjusted hours for Christmas Eve, opening from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will not be open on Christmas Day, allowing both staff and patrons alike to spend the holiday with loved ones. For those interested, Tim Hortons will be serving customers daily from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., inviting Austin's coffee aficionados and doughnut enthusiasts to indulge in their sweet tooth or caffeine fix right through the season.
