Happy National Donut Day! There’s currently an international battle for donut supremacy being waged. And all of must take a side.
This donut war is being waged right in front of our eyes; every time we watch hockey. Every time you turn on NBC Sports to watch a hockey playoff game, take notice of the Tim Horton’s billboard in the corner of the rink.
Then look closer to center ice to see the Dunkin’ Donuts ad. Yes, for the first time since the War of 1812, the United States and Canada are at each other’s throats.
And as the South Park full length feature film taught us, the idea of a war between Canada and the U.S. is kind of hilarious. As long as it’s being waged via donut sales; not military might.
Tim Horton’s advertises for all Chicago Blackhawks games; even though there are no Tim Hortons in Chicago. Or anywhere in Illinois for that matter. These Tim Horton’s ads are strictly for the television audience. And with the Canadian dominance of Tim Hortons, and hockey being Canada’s national game, this makes perfect sense.
Today, in addition to over 3,000 locations in Canada, there are over 556 Tim Hortons donut shops in the United States, and they can be found in Michigan, Ohio, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania, and other American states, mainly in the Northeast and the Great Lakes region. There was also a Tim Hortons on the Kandahar Canadian Military base in Afghanistan until late 2011. There are also a number of Tim Hortons in the UK and Ireland. In November 2011, Tim Hortons set up shop in the UAE, in Abu Dhabi at Mushrif Mall.
Miles Gilbert “Tim” Horton was a Canadian defenceman (yes, spelled in Canadian English intentionally)- playing 24 seasons in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. He obviously founded the Tim Hortons donut empire. He died in an automobile crash while being chased by police in St. Catharines, Ontario, in 1974 at the age of 44.
My readers know all about Dunkin Donuts; therefore I didn’t feel the need to give them equal time here. Look out Dunkin Donuts; Canada and Tim Hortons are coming for you!
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook