Tim Hortons Product Development

Pioneering Product Development in a QSR Business
In my current role at RBI, I am designing and developing retail merchandise and retail packaging for the Tim Hortons Brand. This involves creative direction, graphic design, project management, and communications with vendors and cross-functional teams. We are in the early days of retail product development in an industry that is not typically retail product focused. Since the QSR (quick service restaurant) side of Tim Hortons is the core business, the merchandise side faces unique challenges relating to product design, calendar planning, Quality assurance regulations, and understanding our core consumer.
Varying Product Types - Various Sales Channels
Since merchandise is a relatively new business venture for the business, my team balances our product developments between reliable core product types and experimental product types and ideas that have not yet been tested in this business environment. These different product types are also spread across different sales channels such as in-store and E-Commerce. I have worked on hundreds of products during my time at Tim Hortons, but below are some of my favorites.
2024 Halloween Collection
This core collection was an assortment of drinkware and food integration items (not shown). This collection consisted of 2 color-changing mugs, plastic glow-in-the-dark tumbler, and a stainless steel tumbler with glow-in-the-dark print. Not shown is a 2024 menu integration item, the 2024 Halloween Timbits bucket. The color-changing mugs were especially successful as they went viral on Tiktok in October 2024.
2024 Pet Collection
This pet collection was developed for August 2024 in time for National Dog Day. This collection featured a variety of soft squeaker toys for medium to large sized dogs, as well as a small pet toy set for smaller dogs and cats. These toys were a sell-out hit sold in-restaurant and online.
2024 Holiday Collection
This collection featured the widest range of product types, including an assortment of drinkware, a figural mug, Christmas ornament, snow globe, scented candles, puzzles, and plush toys. The core challenge in the development of this collection was working on a greater number of products across several vendors, so constant communications and juggling priorities was key to delivering this program successfully.
2024 Assorted Products
During my time at RBI I have had direct involvement in the design and development of hundreds of SKUs. My involvement has ranged from project management, to design direction, to the creation of graphic designs, mockups or prototypes that will inform the final product. Many of these items were only available online or in a selection of Tim Hortons restaurants, but some of the more successful items will eventually see a national launch.
2025 and Beyond
A number of my projects have been in development for the past year, and the current items I am working for will be released even further out. Anything currently or recently in development will be available soon at participating Tim Hortons locations near you! (Assuming you are in Canada).
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