Tim Hortons has one of the largest Restaurant Owner networks of any quick-service brand in Ontario, and transfers of existing locations between outgoing and incoming Restaurant Owners are a routine part of how the system grows — running alongside new-build development, not instead of it. We act as independent counsel for buyers and sellers of individual Tim Hortons restaurants in Ontario; this page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Tim Hortons.
Tim Hortons resales follow the franchisor's own approval process on top of the usual purchase mechanics — here's how the two run together.
Getting approved
A conditional offer sets price and terms, built around the timeline Tim Hortons' own approval process needs — including the window it (or a Restaurant Owner it designates) has to exercise a right of first refusal.
1–3 weeks†Tim Hortons reviews the buyer directly — background, financial capacity, and often prior restaurant operating experience — before it will consent to any transfer of an existing location.
3–6 weeks†Because Tim Hortons or another Restaurant Owner it designates can step in ahead of your deal within a defined window, we build that timing into the conditions from day one rather than treating it as a late surprise.
2–4 weeks, running alongside the application†Getting to closing
A franchisor-facilitated resale can look exempt from Arthur Wishart Act disclosure requirements — Ontario courts have read that resale exemption narrowly, so we assess whether a disclosure document may still be required for your specific transfer.
assessed early, runs in parallel†Most Tim Hortons locations sit on a commercial lease or a company-controlled site — either way, landlord or franchisor consent to the change of tenant is a separate track with its own timeline, and drive-thru or signage terms can add conditions of their own.
2–6 weeks†Incoming Restaurant Owners typically complete Tim Hortons' own operator training before final transfer approval and closing — we track every condition through to the day funds and keys change hands.
4–8 weeks, then closing†Canadian-founded chain; official Tim Hortons Franchising Canada site actively recruits Canadian Restaurant Owners
One of Ontario's most widespread coffee brands — Ontario is home to a very large share of Tim Hortons' Canadian restaurants.
Restaurant Owner transfers of existing locations are common alongside new builds, subject to Tim Hortons approval and right of first refusal
This is the first real decision in a Tim Hortons resale — and it changes what you're buying, what you're taking on, and how the franchise agreement moves.
| Question | Asset purchase | Share purchase |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise agreement | Existing agreement typically doesn't carry over — Tim Hortons issues a new agreement to the incoming Restaurant Owner, on its then-current terms. | The underlying agreement can stay in place, but Tim Hortons still reviews and consents to the change in ownership. |
| Right of first refusal | Applies to the sale of the restaurant's assets and operating rights. | Applies just as often to a change of control of the entity that holds the agreement. |
| Lease / premises | Landlord consent (or a new lease) is needed to put the location in the buyer's name. | The lease usually stays as-is, unless it carries its own change-of-control clause. |
| Staff (ESA) | Employment Standards Act continuity rules typically govern how crew carry over to the buyer. | Employment generally continues without interruption — the employer doesn't change. |
| Tax angle | Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased; an HST election may apply. | Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares. |
| Typical use | The default for a single-location Restaurant Owner transfer. | More common for multi-unit operator groups selling the holding company. |
Existing agreement typically doesn't carry over — Tim Hortons issues a new agreement to the incoming Restaurant Owner, on its then-current terms.
The underlying agreement can stay in place, but Tim Hortons still reviews and consents to the change in ownership.
Applies to the sale of the restaurant's assets and operating rights.
Applies just as often to a change of control of the entity that holds the agreement.
Landlord consent (or a new lease) is needed to put the location in the buyer's name.
The lease usually stays as-is, unless it carries its own change-of-control clause.
Employment Standards Act continuity rules typically govern how crew carry over to the buyer.
Employment generally continues without interruption — the employer doesn't change.
Buyer gets a stepped-up cost base on the assets purchased; an HST election may apply.
Seller may access the lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying shares.
The default for a single-location Restaurant Owner transfer.
More common for multi-unit operator groups selling the holding company.
We tell you which structure fits — before you sign anything.
No open-ended hourly surprises — the cost is confirmed in writing before any work begins.
| Type of work | Fee | How it's confirmed |
|---|---|---|
| Straightforward purchase or sale | Starting from $3,388.87 Our charges · taxes included | Confirmed in writing once we see the agreement. |
| Larger or more complex deal | Quoted to scope | Short call → fixed written quote before any work begins. |
| Searches, filings & third-party fees | At cost | Itemized on your invoice, not marked up. |
A single Tim Hortons location changing hands between an outgoing and incoming Restaurant Owner, with a straightforward lease and no other locations involved.
Start my file →A multi-unit Restaurant Owner group selling several locations together, a site that includes real estate, or a deal where Tim Hortons' right of first refusal is actively in play.
Book a consultation →Not sure which you are? That's our job to figure out, not yours. As a rough guide, most deals under a couple of million dollars are the first kind — above that, you're usually in Mergers & Acquisitions territory.
Tim Hortons' Restaurant Owner application generally looks favourably on candidates with some food-service or restaurant operating background, though it isn't necessarily a hard requirement for every location. Multi-unit operators already in the system often have an easier path to approval for an additional location. We can't speak for Tim Hortons' internal criteria, but we help you present a complete application.
A ROFR typically gives Tim Hortons, or another Restaurant Owner it designates, a window to step into your negotiated deal on the same terms instead of letting it proceed to you. It's a standard feature of franchise resales generally, not unique to this brand. We build the ROFR window into your conditions so a late exercise doesn't leave you exposed on deposits or other commitments.
Often, yes — an existing Tim Hortons with a trading history and staff already in place skips the site-selection and construction timeline a new build requires, though the consent and ROFR process still takes real time. Every location and application is different, so treat any timeline as a starting point, not a guarantee.
It can. Tim Hortons typically reviews every individual with an ownership interest, and a corporate buyer structure adds its own layer of disclosure. We help you structure the buying entity in a way that satisfies Tim Hortons' review without complicating your own tax and liability planning.
If consent isn't granted, the deal generally can't close as structured — which is exactly why we build a consent condition into your offer rather than letting you go firm before approval is confirmed. We also flag likely red flags in an application early, before they become a closing-week surprise.
Related
Where we close franchise resale deals
Treadstone Law is an independent law firm. We act for buyers and sellers of franchise businesses. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or retained by Tim Hortons or its franchisor.
Tell us about your Tim Hortons resale — we'll point you the right way and confirm the cost in writing before any work begins.