Everywhere we look, we see a Tim Hortons restaurant. The chain known foremost for its coffee has become a Canadian icon, ranking with hockey among the country’ s cultural touchstones. These pubs without alcohol, as they’ ve been termed, dot street corners and highway rest stops nationwide. They have not only become meeting places for regular Canadians, but also a must-visit for our campaigning politicians. For many Tim’ s lovers, this chain has established an undying connection to what it means to be Canadian.

Double Double is the first book to look at the company from a wide angle, from the life of co-founder, Tim Horton, to the growth of the business under the steady hand of his friend and partner, Ron Joyce, after Horton’ s death, to the company’ s merger with the American fast-food chain Wendy’ s and its eventual repatriation to Canada. A fascinating business story, Double Double also reveals how the franchising operation works, how the company has become an important element of Canadian politics, the American expansion of the chain and why Canadians are so dedicated to its menu. Double Double also examines the many challenges Tim Hortons is facing in maintaining its status as one of Canada’ s most respected consumer brands in an increasingly competitive business.