Atlanta’s first Tim Hortons will open downtown, at 610 Spring Street NW, in as little as 45 days, Co-Franchisee Nadiya Alibhai tells What Now Atlanta.
Pending permitting approval from the City of Atlanta, Alibhai said construction on the space, which was formerly home to Dunkin’ and sits in a multi-tenant BP Gas Station building, could start next week. The goal is to open by August 30, 2023, the franchisee said.
Nadiya’s husband Amin Alibhai acquired the BP building in 2014 and in recent years began renovations to create new tenant spaces. Plans also call for a sports bar to open above Tim Hortons, he said, and JJ Fish & Chicken could open around the same time as the coffee and donuts franchise, pending a similar permitting timeline. The three new tenants join the aforementioned gas station and a smoke shop.
Alibhai has the rights to open up to 5 Tim Hortons locations in the Atlanta metro through December 31, 2024. The restaurateur is scouting spaces near I-85 at North Avenue, Buckhead near Lenox Square, and South Atlanta.
“Tim Hortons is a good brand and Dunkin’ is out of territories,” Alibhai said on the decision to franchise the Canadian chain. “Not to mention, Tim Hortons has better coffee and pastries.”
Although the new downtown Tim Hortons will be designed primarily for drive-thru and takeaway, the space has room for eight to ten patrons at any given time for those looking to hangout for a bit.
“We have done a lot of renovation to the property to ensure the residents of Atlanta have a nice experience,” Alibhai said.
Tim Hortons last year announced it was expanding into Georgia. The state’s first location, by way of another 15-unit franchisee, could open in either Columbus or Jonesboro.
Founded in 1964 with a restaurant in Hamilton, Ontario, Tim Hortons is Canada’s largest restaurant chain operating in the quick service industry with nearly 4,000 restaurants across the country.
“More than a coffee and bake shop, Tim Hortons is part of the Canadian fabric and guests can enjoy hot and cold specialty beverages — including lattes, cappuccinos and espressos, teas and our famous Iced Capps — alongside delicious breakfast, sandwiches, wraps, soups and more,” according to its website.
Tim Hortons has more than 5,400 restaurants in Canada, the United States and around the world.
[Editor’s note: an earlier version of this article indicated the franchisee has rights to 15 locations. The agreement is for five. Nadiya Alibhai is the franchisee while Amin Alibhai is the property owner.]
