Tim Hortons to renovate Vancouver Island locations as part of $43M investment in B.C.

As Dunkin’ plans a Canadian comeback, Maritimers contemplate a brewing battle between the coffee giant and Tim Hortons.

Several Tim Hortons locations across Vancouver Island are slated for renovations this year as the coffee chain rolls out a multimillion-dollar investment plan across British Columbia.

The company announced Friday that restaurants in Victoria, Langford, Nanaimo, Ladysmith and Sidney are among 43 B.C. locations expected to undergo upgrades in 2026.

Tim Hortons says the renovations are part of a broader $43-million investment in the province that also includes plans for eight new restaurants in B.C., including locations in Vancouver, Surrey and Kelowna.

The company did not specify which Vancouver Island restaurants will be renovated or when construction is expected to begin.

Nationally, Tim Hortons and its restaurant owners say they are investing $400 million this year to build or renovate 480 restaurants across Canada.

Of that total, restaurant owners are contributing about $270 million, while the company is investing an additional $130 million.

“Tim Hortons was built in Canada by Canadians, and we are proud to continue investing in Canada to give our guests beautiful, modern restaurants to enjoy,” company president Axel Schwan said in a statement.

Tim Hortons says the upgrades are aimed at improving customer experience and adapting restaurants for increased digital and mobile ordering.

According to the company, renovations will include redesigned dining rooms, updated layouts intended to improve service speed, upgraded kitchen equipment and expanded areas for mobile pickup and self-serve kiosks.

The projects are also expected to generate work for local trades and suppliers across the province, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, painters and mechanical contractors.

Tim Hortons says many renovation materials are sourced through Canadian-owned businesses, including furniture manufactured in Montréal using Canadian maple and signage produced by Canadian suppliers.

Across Canada, 340 Tim Hortons restaurant owners are participating in this year’s renovation and expansion projects.

Tim Hortons currently operates nearly 4,000 restaurants across Canada and more than 6,000 worldwide.

The company says the renovations are intended to modernize restaurants while improving the experience for both customers and staff.