To sip or not to sip: Tim Hortons' Lahore launch divides the internet

Would you stand in the hours-long queue to get your hands on the Canadian brand's brew?

The queue at the first Lahore outlet of Canada's popular brew company, Tim Hortons, grew longer as the recently launched branch became crowded over the weekend. 

Tim Hortons opened its first branch in the country to a tremendous response. However, Twitterati seem to have taken offence over how 'elites are lining up to get a cuppa when the country is undergoing its worst economic crisis.'

Many took to social media to share pictures of the launch day and called out anyone and everyone waiting in queues for hours to purchase the popular coffee.

There are 2 #Pakistan (s), one that are in queue of utility stores for aata & ghee, & the other is at #TimHortons.
It scares me , that there is nothing in the middle scares me . #PakistanEconomicCrisis

— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) February 12, 2023

One nation, two stories.
#TimHortons #TimHortonsLahore pic.twitter.com/nq1vqxSvhI

— uzii (@uziihashmi_) February 13, 2023

Tim hortons .. 1900 orders in a day

Im sticking to dhabay ki chai pic.twitter.com/rgKRExlF6l

— Yousuf M.Farooq (@YousufMFarooq) February 12, 2023

Good morning everyone except to those who went to Tim Hortons yesterday. Y’all need to get a life

— Natasha (@natashaaharoon) February 13, 2023

As the first day sale of Tim hortons in Pakistan breaks record of most sales in the world, The world must be laughing at us, we are at brink of default, our people are dying of hunger but let's enjoy an overpriced cup of ordinary taste coffee pic.twitter.com/Cs2tgwy7w2

— Ayeshay (@champagne_lassi) February 12, 2023

How do you allow yourself to stand in line for a cup of coffee for 5 hours ?

Where is your self respect ? #TimHortons

— Mir Mohammad Alikhan (@MirMAKOfficial) February 12, 2023

Two sides of Pakistan
Tim Hortons Flour pic.twitter.com/5ZeDpsOzi9

— Kinza Hashim💙 (@Iamkinza44) February 12, 2023

When the country is in the dire need of foreign exchange. We are celebrating Imported coffee. Tim hortons is like chai walla in Canada. https://t.co/5uORQwa9iB

— Awais Younas (@AwaisYounasPTI) February 13, 2023

Economy of Lahories outside
Pakistan. Tim hortons pic.twitter.com/D8TLMWHscC

— سيدhaider (@pashtoSarcastic) February 12, 2023

However, others came out in support of the citizens who spent their day, waiting in a line at Tims. 

I don’t get you people. When we don’t have franchises such as Tim Hortons you’re complaining how we lag behind & when we finally get it you complain about queues & economy.

To the lady complaining about prices, u literally tweeted about spending 5k+at Aylanto - if the shoe fits.

— Maha Dar92 (@Kschessinska_M) February 12, 2023

Tim Hortons have actually priced themselves better than some local wanna be starbucks outlets.. pic.twitter.com/GHFY26vdsd

— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) February 13, 2023

I’m not a coffee fan. In fact I can’t digest coffee. But if I could, I’d so be lining up for Tim Hortons. I have no undue sense of dignity. If there’s a new eatery in town I will step on small children and retired folks to get in. Go ahead and judge me.

— Yasser Hashmi (@YasserHashmi) February 12, 2023

Looking back at Tim Hortons fiasco, I understand Lahore gets the coolest things before rest of Pak because of the sheer ability of the residents to make a spectacle out of it

No one would’ve noticed had the same thing opened in Islamabad first https://t.co/yW5bp2Xa92

— Shayk🪁🌳🚉🚴🏽🏙🏎 (@ShaykShack) February 12, 2023

And then they were the jibes. 

Hakumat ko chaiye ke 2 Khaadi ke stores aur 4 Tim Hortons khol ke IMF Ke muu per paisa maaray!

— Arslan Naseer (@ArslanNaseerCBA) February 12, 2023

Too many people focusing on the "Lahori" aspect but honestly as much as I like making fun of Lahoris you'd probably see the same amount of people lining up if Tim Hortons opened in Khi. I hate to admit this but aapka bhai is committed to telling the truth 💯💯💯

— g h a u r a (@ghauraghaura) February 12, 2023

Pakistani People queuing for so long for Tim Hortons shows that the government has zero entertainment facilities for the public.

— Ducky Bhai (@duckybhai) February 12, 2023

The store will be Pakistan's largest and first drive-thru coffee shop with more than 150 seating capacity. The second and third stores will open in Gulberg, Lahore on February 18 and 25 respectively.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.