16 things about Tim Hortons that Canadians are secretly fed up with
Tim Hortons is undoubtedly a Canadian icon. But just because we love it, that doesn't mean it's always perfect. We all have those "ugh" moments, whether it's a messed-up order or simply a poorly-stirred coffee.
Like any big chain, Tim's has its fair share of quirks, which is fairly understandable given the sheer scale of its operations. We recently asked our readers what bugs them the most about Tim Hortons right now, and let's just say Canadians had pretty big feelings about it. From drive-thru frustrations to bagels that barely get a smear of cream cheese, the list of complaints came in fast.
That said, we've got to give a shout-out to the hardworking folks behind the counter. It can't be easy juggling hundreds of orders a day under intense time pressure. Being kind and friendly goes a long way—especially when you're desperate for that double-double to kickstart your morning!
With that in mind, here's a rundown of the annoying things about Tim Hortons that Canadians seemingly needed to get off their chest ASAP.
Poorly-stirred coffee
"There’s only one thing that bothers me a lot! When they don’t stir the coffee and the sugar stays on the bottom and you’re in the car."
Is there anything worse than grabbing a coffee through the drive-thru, only to realize the sugar and cream are chilling at the bottom and you're unable to stir it yourself because you're driving?
Barely toasted items
"For the most part I love Tim's—it’s fairly affordable with good coffee. I do not like how when you ask for something toasted, it’s barely even warm. The cheese on an egg sandwich should at least be slightly melted!"
Toasted means toasted, right? It's a little underwhelming when your bagel or sandwich comes out barely warm, especially when all you're asking for is some melty cheese and a bit of crunch.
Upselling overload
"I hate when employees ask me if I want a dozen other things than what I originally asked for..."
Upselling is part of the job for employees, but sometimes it's fair to just want your coffee without the extras. When you're in a rush, being asked if you want to add a bunch of things can feel a bit overwhelming.
Ignoring in-store customers
"Having employees paying more attention to the drive-thru and no one looking after customers that are inside."
At busy times, the drive-thru can take a lot of focus, which can make in-store customers feel like they're waiting longer for service.
Donuts stuck to the bag
"Putting the donuts in bags so all the frosting sticks to the bag—super annoying."
A common observation is how donuts with frosting tend to stick to the bag, making it tricky to enjoy that perfect first bite. It's a little thing, but Canadians definitely notice when their icing gets left behind!
No coffee sleeves
"They never give you a sleeve with your coffee or tea. Why do I have to constantly ask?! "
"They don’t automatically put a heat sleeve on their molecule-thick coffee cups, like ‘Here, have a 2nd-degree burn and a Cruller.’"
According to a whole bunch of Canadians, it's a real annoyance to have to continuously ask for a sleeve for their hot drinks. After all, it's not always easy to hold a steaming cup of hot tea or coffee while you're driving or rushing to work.
Price hikes
"I’ve given up on Timmy’s. I make my own coffee at home now. The prices have gone up, and the service has gone down. They never get my order right. Seriously, how hard is it to make a medium regular coffee?"
Some customers have opted to make their coffee at home, noticing both price increases and occasional service hiccups. A simple coffee order is often expected to be a quick and easy experience, but when it's off, it can be a little discouraging.
Unclean washrooms
"Disgusting washrooms and tables at some branches… Not very demure, not very mindful."
A number of Timmies customers told us that the cleanliness of washrooms and tables could use a bit more attention at certain locations. A tidy environment definitely makes for a better experience, and many notice when it falls short.
Being rushed at the drive-thru
"They cut you off at the drive-thru with ‘Will that be everything?’ before you’re even done talking."
Sometimes when you're at the drive-thru, it can feel like you're being rushed to finish your order. While staff are likely trying to keep things moving, customers have noticed when it happens before they're ready.
Half-cut bagels and sandwiches
"No employee knows how to cut a bagel, toast, or sandwich all the way through, leaving the customer to pull it apart themselves and end up with uneven sides."
When bagels or sandwiches aren't fully cut, it can make pulling them apart a bit tricky. Not ideal if you're driving or in a rush!
Staff being unaware of new promotions
"Staff are unaware of the current promotions!"
When a new promotion or deal rolls out, some customers have noticed that staff might not always be aware of it right away. It can lead to a bit of confusion, especially when customers are looking forward to snagging a deal.
Incorrect orders
"How they never get my order right. How hard is no sauce?"
Some customers have pointed out that even simple requests, like “no sauce,” don't always come out as expected.
Ordering chaos
"No separation between taking orders and preparing the orders. So how long I wait is at the mercy of how big or complex the prior order is."
Some customers have noticed that, in some locations, it appears there's no clear division between taking orders and preparing them, which can lead to longer waits. If the person ahead of you has a big or complicated order, it might slow down the line for everyone else.
Mobile order delays
"When I make a mobile order and still have to wait."
Mobile ordering is supposed to be all about convenience, but some customers have shared that they still end up waiting once they arrive.
Too much choice
"Everything about Tim Hortons grinds my gears—trash service, trash food, too many options, and no decent service like before when it was Canadian owned."
Perhaps there IS such thing as too much choice, as one Canadian listed this as a reason they're getting tired of Tim Hortons.
A little bit of everything
"Not enough people working, long waits... Not enough damn cream cheese on the bagels. Burnt bagels... Ice Cap machine rarely working... and I got 4 in my small town, so it ain’t just the one. Lol."
Sometimes just about everything can go wrong. And if you're finding that almost everything is going wrong pretty much every time at your nearest location, maybe it's just time to make your coffee at home instead!
Of course, there are also a whole bunch of ways customers are frustrating Tim Hortons employees in return — and some of these might actually be creating issues for fellow customers, too!
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AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of Narcity's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.
