Tim Hortons, the country's famed coffee and doughnut restaurant, is close to final approval to open its first franchise in Sundre.
And town officials hope the final approval and the good news it brings to coffee and doughnut lovers in the community and out-of-town guests will serve to inspire further commercial growth in the community.
Founded in 1964 in Hamilton, Ont. by legendary hockey player Tim Horton and business partner Jim Charade, the fast-food outlet has become the country's largest fast-food service operator with more than 3,300 outlets in Canada and another 734 in the United States.
“It is quite a big importance when we talk about increasing our commercial base, and coupled with the new hotel we are on our way,” said Mayor Annette Clews. “Town council is very hopeful that this is just the beginning of our commercial increase base for Sundre. Typically once one starts then there is another one. It does have that growth potential.”
The new franchise will be located at 849 Main Ave. W., beside the newly constructed Tire Shop at the western edge of town on the corner of Highway 27 and 10 St. S.W.
Erin O'Neill, the town's manager of planning and development, said a developer out of Edmonton representing Tim Hortons applied for a development permit in 2011. She said the company was issued a notice of decision last July. She said some “agreements” are still needed to be put in place prior to the final approval of Tim Hortons' development permit. O'Neill said the company has not submitted its building permit application yet. She said that application is expected in the next few weeks.
O'Neill said she was uncertain when the franchise will be open.
“It all depends when the permits are submitted. If they can get it before the frost it can be open next summer,” said O'Neill.”
Quinn Jacobs, a businessman from Innisfail and a member of the Sundre franchise's ownership group from Innisfail and Olds, said he and his partners are looking forward to opening the new franchise but concedes there is still more paperwork to be done with the town before a construction timeline can be established.
“We are certainly looking forward to it. We don't like to say too much at this time until the final work is done, then we can set a timeline,” said Jacobs, adding his group has been advertising in local papers for future employees at the new Sundre franchise. “We've definitely had some interest. It is nice to see.”
