U.S. Restaurant Chain's Annual Holiday Program Partners with Master Card® to Make Holiday Wishes Come True with $750 Gift Cards at More Than 34 Surprise Events

DUBLIN, OH, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop's Holiday Helpers woke from their year-long slumber and hit the streets to surprise Black Friday shoppers again with $750 in Master Card® gift cards, Tassimo gift packs and Tim Cards®.

This year, the Tim Hortons Holiday Helpers partnered with Master Card® to make the holidays a little easier for lucky shoppers by taking care of their gift budgets.

On Thursday evening, across most of the bakery cafe chain's U.S. markets, Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurant owners surprised the 23^rd person waiting in line for Black Friday deals with $750 in Master Card® gift cards.

According to an annual Gallup® poll, the average American will spend approximately $725-$750 on holiday gifts this year, which is why Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop chose the denomination.

The first and last person in line each received a Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop Tassimo brewer and T DISC gift pack (valued at $145) and the 22^nd and 24^th person in line each received a $50 Tim Card®. Everyone in line received a coupon for a free donut with beverage purchase redeemable at participating Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop locations.

"We try to surprise and delight our guests in our restaurants every day. This is just another way we hope to surprise them and add some magic to their holiday this year" said Mike Meilleur, executive vice president Tim Hortons, U.S.

This is the third year Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop's Holiday Helpers program visited Black Friday shoppers. Last year, the Holiday Helpers handed out $25,000 in gift cards to unsuspecting shoppers.

Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop handed out approximately 31 Master Card® gift cards, 52 Tim Cards® and 52 Tassimo brewer and T DISC gift sets on Thanksgiving Day evening totaling more than $35,000 to add more magic to the holiday season.

Throughout the month of December, the Holiday Helpers also will be surprising guests waiting in line at various Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop restaurants by paying for their order.

To learn more about Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop, visit www.timhortons.com or follow on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TimHortonsUS and Twitter www.twitter.com/TimHortonsUS).

About Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop
Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, espresso-based beverages, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, grilled paninis, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts.  As of September 30, 2012, Tim Hortons had 755 restaurants in the United States and 4,138 restaurants systemwide.  For more information, visit www.timhortons.com.

SOURCE Tim Hortons Inc.