Considering a Tim Hortons Franchise? Don’t Overlook These 26 Important Franchise Fees

Updated June 7, 2020.

If you are considering a Tim Hortons franchise, don’t get blindsided by these 26 important franchise fees (from the initial franchise fee, to the royalty fee, to 24 other fees found in Items 5 and 6 of Tim Hortons’ 2020 FDD).

1.  Initial Franchise Fee:  $50,000 for a Standard Shop, $25,000 for a Non-Standard Shop, $50,000 for a Non-Standard Shop (Double Drive-Thru); $15,000 for a Kiosk

• The initial franchise fee for each type of Shop is as follows:

• Standard Shop:  $50,000
• Non-Standard Shop:  $25,000
• Non-Standard Shop (Drive-Thru Only):  $50,000
• Kiosk:  $15,000

2.  Initial Training Fee:  varies

• You must attend and satisfactorily complete Tim Hortons’ initial training program before you may open your Franchised Restaurant.

• The cost for this training is $2,000-$2,500 depending upon whether you are a new or existing franchisee and the USD/CAD conversion rate.

• These training fees are non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances, Tim Hortons may waive this training for certain franchisees based upon their individual circumstances and experience level.

3.  Development Assistance Fee:  $5,000 to $25,000

• If you construct a Franchised Restaurant on real estate that you own or lease, you must pay Tim Hortons or its affiliates for any building components or fixtures that you order through Tim Hortons and you must use a third party design architect Tim Hortons has approved to prepare the initial design drawings for your Franchised Restaurant.

• If you elect not to retain a project manager Tim Hortons has approved to assist you in the development process, Tim Hortons or its affiliate may elect to provide you with management assistance. In this situation, you must pay Tim Hortons a Development Assistance Fee.

• The Development Assistance Fee will range from $5,000 to $25,000 depending upon the services Tim Hortons or its affiliate provides to you.

4.  Equipment, Fixtures, and Signage:  $336,600 to $430,900 for a Standard Shop, and $86,600 to $415,900 for a Non-Standard Shop/Kiosk

• In addition to the initial franchise fee, it is likely that you will make additional payments to Tim Hortons or its affiliates before opening a Franchised Restaurant for various equipment, fixtures, and signage that must be acquired by a Shop before its opening.

• For a Standard Shop, these items will range in total cost from $336,600 to $430,900, and for a Non-Standard Shop/Kiosk from $86,600 to $415,900.

• Unless the equipment delivered to you is defective or determined by Tim Hortons to be unnecessary, these amounts are non-refundable and must be paid upon receipt of an invoice for the items.

5.  Grand Opening or Re-Opening Fee:  $3,000 for a Standard Shop and certain Non-Standard Shops, $1,500 for a Kiosk

• When you sign your Franchise Agreement, you must pay Tim Hortons a grand opening or re-opening fee of (i) $3,000 for a Standard Shop and certain Non-Standard Shops as determined by Tim Hortons; and (ii) $1,500 for a Kiosk.

• Tim Hortons will use the grand opening or re-opening fee to pay your vendors (or reimburse you for payments you make directly to the vendors) for expenses (up to the amount of the deposit) related to your Franchised Restaurant’s required opening or re-opening promotional activities.

6.   Development Fee:  a non-refundable deposit of $10,000 (the “Franchise Fee Deposit”) multiplied by the number of Franchised Restaurants you commit to develop

• If you enter into a Development Agreement with Tim Hortons, you must pay Tim Hortons a non-refundable deposit of $10,000 (the “Franchise Fee Deposit”) multiplied by the number of Franchised Restaurants you commit to develop. You must pay this Franchise Fee Deposit in full when you sign the Development Agreement, and it is deemed fully earned when paid.

• The Franchise Fee Deposit will be applied as a credit (the “Franchise Fee Credit”) against the current initial franchise fees for the Franchised Restaurants to be opened by you (or your subsidiary or affiliate) under the Development Agreement.

• If you default under the Development Agreement, then any remaining Franchise Fee Credit balance will be forfeited by you to Tim Hortons.

7.  Royalty:  4.5% to 6% of Gross Sales

• Due Date:  Thursday of each week on the prior week’s Gross Sales, but Tim Hortons can change the day the royalty payment is due.

8.  Advertising Contribution:  4% of Gross Sales

• Due Date:  Within 10 days of the end of each month on the prior month’s Gross Sales.

9.  Interest and Audit Costs:  costs of audit plus interest

• Due Date:  As incurred.

10.  Additional Training:  cost to attend additional training such as transportation, food, and lodging, and a materials fee. The materials fee will not exceed $1,000.

• Due Date:  As incurred.

11.  Transfer Fee:  5% of the full purchase price

• Due Date:  Before transfer.

12.  Indemnification:  will vary with circumstances

• Due Date:  As incurred.

13.  Taxes:  amount imposed on Tim Hortons by federal, state, and local tax authorities on any fees or other amounts payable by you to Tim Hortons

• Due Date:  Payable upon receipt of invoice.

14.  Maintaining Shop Premises in Good Repair:  varies

• Due Date:  Reimburse Tim Hortons or pay directly to suppliers.

15.  Refurbishing Shop:  varies

• Due Date:  As incurred.

16.  Lease for Franchised Restaurant Premises:  varies, but between 7% to 8.5% of Gross Sales for a Standard Shop and up to 13% of Gross Sales for Non-Standard Shops/Kiosks. Must also pay flow through charges such as CAM, insurance, property taxes, and Tim Hortons’ administrative expenses of billing.

• Due Date:  Within 10 days of the end of each month on the prior month’s Gross Sales.

17.  Reorganization of Your Business:  Tim Hortons’ legal and administrative expenses incurred in processing changes resulting from the reorganization of your business structure

• Due Date:  When invoiced by Tim Hortons.

18.  Espresso Machine and Equipment:  $11,000 to $15,000. You must also pay the vendor to install and calibrate the Espresso machine, which is estimated to be between $600 and $900. You may also enter into a maintenance contract with the vendor at an estimated annual cost of approximately $985.

• Due Date:  Upon receipt of the invoice.

19.  Smart Store Charges:  $450 to $1,050 per month

• Due Date:  As incurred.

20.  Approving Suppliers Requested by You:  varies

• Due Date:  On demand.

21.  Inspection Costs and Expenses:  varies

• Due Date:  As incurred.

22.  Replenished Franchise Fee Credit:  same amount as Franchise Fee Credit

• Due Date:  Within 30 days after the Franchise Fee Credit is exhausted.

23.  Development Default Payment:  $4,000 multiplied by the number of Shops you fail to open under your development schedule

• Due Date:  First business day of each month.

24.  Renovation Default Payment:  $4,000 per month per Shop acquired by you that is not timely renovated

• Due Date:  First business day of each month.

25.  Tim Horton Children’s Foundation:  varies

• Due Date:  As incurred.

26.  Background Check Fee:  $280 to $15,000

• Due Date:  As incurred.

• U.S. applicants range typically between $280 to $1,000. International applicants range from $5,000 to $15,000.