Tim Hortons confirmed Tuesday afternoon layoffs of an unspecified number of employees at its Oakville TDL Group Corp headquarters.
“We have had to make some difficult, but necessary decisions today as we reorganize our company to position ourselves for the significant growth and opportunities ahead of us,” Tim Hortons vice-president of corporate affairs Alexandra Cygal said in a released statement.
“This comprehensive process has created tremendous opportunities for some of our employees in new roles and promotions," she said. “We are confident the new organization will be fast, more efficient and better positioned for continued success.”
The number of layoffs was not released, however, Tim Hortons confirmed its headquarters would remain in Oakville and the company would retain its commitment to community involvement.
"Because we are still in the process of the re-organization - we're not in the position to confirm the number of people impacted either leaving the company or with new opportunities," Cygal said.
“We greatly appreciate the service and contributions of all of our employees and are treating departing employees with the utmost respect, while providing generous and enhanced severance packages, continuing health benefits and outplacement services."
Abdul Khan, who is a contracted IT worker at Tim Hortons, said he’d been told 200 employees were laid off on Wednesday.
The Oakville Beaver could not independently confirm that number.
“Everybody’s upset,” Khan said of the mood inside the headquarters. “They’re losing their jobs after 10 years of service. Can you believe it?
Khan said he’d heard more job cuts would be announced in the coming days.
Several employees coming and going from the offices on Wyecroft Road did not offer comment to media camped outside.
Social media was indicating earlier Tuesday morning that layoff notices were being issued and security was on scene at the Tim Hortons’ head office.
It was announced in August 2014 that the iconic Canadian restaurant chain had been purchased in a headline-grabbing $12.5 billion deal by 3G Capital, a Brazilian private equity firm that owns Burger King, H.J. Heinz and Budweiser.
Shareholders approved the deal in December 2014.
In a previous interview with the Beaver, Tim Hortons president and CEO Marc Caira told the newspaper the food chain would be true to its Canadian roots, and planned to keep its Oakville headquarters.
The chain’s head office has been located in town since the 1970s and has approximately 950 employees.
Tim Hortons has 4,546 restaurants, including 3,630 in Canada, 866 in the U.S. and 50 in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Combined, Tim Hortons and Burger King now have approximately $22 billion in system sales and more than 18,000 restaurants in 100 countries worldwide.
People quickly took to Twitter to voice their reaction to the news.
Laura Feeney @DaleJr288 said: @TorontoStar @CP24 @CityNews @CHCHNews Situation at @TimHortons ppl handed envelope, fired, escorted out-no media comments or no severance.
Dianne Briggs @DyBee: Now if we could only get Canadians to boycott "Burger Tims" for laying off all our citizens!” @TheSpec #timhortons #canadianlayoffs.
Tracey Fagan @tjjs13: @Halton_Photog they can’t… they might loose (sic) severance pkg’s, muzzled as usually (sic).
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