For the first time in history, Tim Hortons is serving up double-doubles at a full-service restaurant on a First Nations reserve in Ontario.
The iconic coffee chain opened its first franchise on an Ontario native reserve this week, in the Six Nations community near Brantford. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the Tim Hortons' grand opening, with drummers and traditional dancers on hand to mark the occasion.
The restaurant serves up the full menu of coffee and baked goods, but at an eight per cent discount, because it's on provincially tax-exempt native territory.
"I think it's excellent and I think it's going to help boost our economy and maybe bring more people to our community as well," Six Nations Chief Ava Hill told CTV Kitchener.
The store employees 61 workers from the native community, and is co-owned by former NHL coach and player Ted Nolan.
Nolan and his business partner, Landon Miller, spent seven years working with Tim Hortons and the Six Nations government to make their restaurant dream a reality.
"This was a long journey and we're happy for the people here," Noland told CTV Kitchener.
"The community was obviously waiting for it and they've supported it since day one," added Miller.
Nolan called the store a "good statement" to show the rest of Canada that First Nations people can own and operate their own businesses, on native territory.
"It's a great day for us," he said.
With a report from CTV Kitchener
