Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons is to open its first site in Northern Ireland.

Located in Fountain Street in Belfast city centre, the site will open its doors next Friday (25 May), and is the first in a series of planned launches in Northern Ireland over the coming year.

The Tim Hortons brand was created in 1964 when Tim Horton, a National Hockey League star, opened the first store in Hamilton, Canada. In 1976, the business launched its signature Timbit doughnut bites and, in the 1980s, extended into the US.

The first UK Tim Hortons was launched in Glasgow in June 2017, and the business has rapidly expanded with a further 17 sites in locations including Cardiff and Manchester. It opened its first drive-through in December, and plans to open drive-throughs as part of its Northern Ireland expansion.

“We are thrilled to be bringing our famous brewed coffee, baked goods and freshly-prepared food to the people of Belfast,” said Kevin Hydes, chief finance and commercial officer of the Tim Hortons franchise in the UK.

“Following the success of our recent restaurant openings in Scotland, Wales and England, we can’t wait to bring a taste of Canada to Northern Ireland.”