" A swig of elusive Canadian identity can be found at the bottom of a humble brown paper coffee cup. So says a Canadian sociologist in newly published research that argues Tim Hortons has shifted from simple purveyor of caffeine and pastries into a cultural icon. "They're not just another branded commodity, they're an institution," says Patricia Cormack, a sociology professor at St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, N. S. When Ms. Cormach saw that Tim Hortons was the exclusive distributor for the Royal Canadian Mint's Remembrance Day quarter, she was amazed by the doughnut shop's clout. Even the company's beige-and-brown packaging and "humble, plain-Jane" image fits in with Canadians' notion of themselves as strong, principled people who don't grasp at fads, Ms. Cormack says."
I just want to acknowledge the company in line with its brand as being the sole distributor next Tuesday 11th November – Remembrance Day – of the new Poppy Canadian Quarter.
Much better than Pier 1 Imports who a few years ago got involved in refusing to allow poppy sales in its stores – I still refuse to shop there (perhaps that's why they do not have a Mission statement that I can find on their web site or Facebook page). At least Home Depot made a correction after realising its mistake – see article here