This article only represents the author's own views.
The Tim Hortons chain was historically known for donuts, founded in 1964 by its namesake former ice hockey star who also presumably loved the sugary snack. But after yanking the company’s core product from most of its menus, the company’s China iteration, Tims China, has found better results with bagels, which look similar but lack the sweetness.
Tims China operator TH International Ltd. (THCH.US) has had it rough lately, struggling to differentiate itself from a crowded and fiercely competitive field of premium coffee sellers including everyone from Starbucks (SBUX.US) to local sensations Luckin (LKCNY.US) and Cotti. But the company may have finally found its answer in bagels, based on its latest financial report that mentions the bread-based Western staple numerous times and shows that Tims China may have finally turned a corner in the fourth quarter.