Tencent to help Tim Hortons China roll out over 1,000 outlets

May 15, 2020Updated May 14, 20201 min read

Chinese social networking and gaming giant Tencent is partnering with Tim Hortons China to expand the Canadian coffee house’s rollout.

Tencent announced the partnership on its Chinese social media accounts without disclosing any financial details.

Tim Hortons China has traded since early last year and is expected to use the new funding to set up a WeChat app as well as opening new physical locations outward from its highest concentration of stores in Shanghai. The firm has set a general initial target of 1500 outlets in the territory.

The firm may be taking a leaf out of Starbucks’ former arch-rival Luckin Coffee’s playbook in focusing on digital business. Luckin expanded swiftly in China using the strategy before becoming embroiled in a financial fraud scandal.

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Mei Ling Tan

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Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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