Regina 
Tim Hortons is ramping up hiring across Canada while scaling back its reliance on temporary foreign workers, as competition in the coffee market begins to shift with Dunkin’ expanding into the country.
CNW Group/Tim Hortons
The company says it plans to hire 10,000 local workers this summer, supported by a national recruitment campaign across TV, digital and in-store channels.
Time Hortons says that roughly 45 percent of its employees are aged 15 to 24.
According to the news release, restaurant owners held around 400 local hiring events in March and April, with more scheduled through 2026.
At the same time, the use of the Temporary Foreign Worker program has been easing. Of about 110,000 team members, roughly 4,000 are part of the program, or 3.6 percent of the workforce. The company notes that the number has been declining steadily since 2024, reflecting changing labour conditions.
During the pandemic recovery in 2021, the brand supported expanded access to the program to address staffing shortages. In 2026, with higher youth unemployment, that position has shifted, and the company says additional lobbying is no longer needed.
Per the news release, the hiring campaign emphasizes local recruitment, with roles open to anyone eligible to work in Canada, including students, newcomers and Indigenous applicants.
The hiring comes as Tim Hortons franchise owners renovate 400 locations and open 80 new locations.
