More Tim Horton's in America

If you've been to a Tim Horton's, you likely have been to Canada or near Canada. For those totally clueless, Tim Horton's is a popular donut (and more) franchise throughout Canada, with more than 2,500 locations. Even in Windsor, Ontario, right across from Detroit, you seem to hit one on just about every corner.

Tim Horton's is now owned by Wendy's, and that company raised over $700 million in the first day of trading on Friday in an IPO. The sale will help expand growth in the United States, where there are 290 stores in 10 states. The company hopes to have 500 open by 2009.

But just because it's a legend in Canada does not guarantee success in the U.S. The fact that Tim Horton's do exist already in the States would seem to help. Krispy Kreme had a sharp rise and then a subsequent crash, so Tim Horton's would likely do better with more subtle, but sustained growth.

Personally, I would rather go to a Tim Horton's than a Krispy Kreme. The donuts and coffee have more flavor, but that could be my bias toward Canadian products shining through.

If you've seen Wayne's World, Mike Myers patterned that donut shop after Tim Horton's. And for those who don't know, there really was a Tim Horton. Horton was an NHL player for many years until his untimely death in an auto accident in 1974. Horton opened his first shop, named after himself, in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1964.