In a nod to the regional dominance of Dunkin Donuts, Canadian coffee-and-doughnuts chain Tim Hortons says it plans to close the doors at 36 of its shops in New England, including 10 in Connecticut, The Associated Press reports.
The iconic Canadian restaurant operator has been making inroads into the American market, but announced that it will make a strategic retreat from Providence, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
The closures, which represent a small fraction of the 600-plus stores Tims has in the United States, were largely responsible for the company’s third-quarter profit falling short of analysts’ expectations.
According to the company’s web site, it has 10 Connecticut locations in Wethersfield, Rocky Hill, Stonington, Plainville, Meriden, Norwich, Groton, Meriden, and Vernon.
Tim Hortons earned $73.8 million in the third quarter or 42 cents per share — up more than 20 percent from last year, but falling short of analysts expectations of 53 cents per share.