Boycotted: Starbucks & Tim Hortons

It’s no new news to hear about the Starbucks and Tim Horton’s are, and have been the BDS boycott list. They were even some of the first names to make the list after October 7th, with Starbucks making the list after suing their Workers Union over the Union making a tweet standing in “Solidarity with Palestine”, condemning the occupation, displacement, state violence, apartheid, and threats of genocide the Palestinians face. And for Tim Hortons, you can check out our previous newsletter highlighting Tim Hortons’ parent company and their social media posts offering free meals to Israeli Soldiers.

That said, winter is here, and with it comes the season of warm, comforting, often sweet drinks that bring smiles to faces during the bitter Canadian cold. Whether it’s for long drives or as a pick-me-up to tackle shorter days and longer nights, these drinks are staples for many. Here are some interesting numbers to consider:

• Canada is actually ranked fifth in the world for hot drinks sales (by revenue)

• Canada had $24.9 billion USD in hot coffee, tea and cocoa drink sales in 2023

• Over 71% of consumers of coffee drink it daily

• Over 63% of coffee consumption is by individuals between 18-64 years of age

Since most of our audience falls within this last category, we’re excited to share some great alternatives for our avid coffee, tea, and hot chocolate lovers—so you can stay warm and energized this winter without compromise!

Country Style:
A Truly Canadian Coffee Chain

Country Style is hands down our favorite coffee alternative. Their menu is nearly identical to the big names, but with donuts that truly stand out. And yes, we know it’s winter, but if you haven’t tried a Country Style iced coffee yet, you’re missing out on what a real iced coffee should taste like. This Canadian coffee shop has been a staple for over six decades, and since 1963, it’s remained one of the few true competitors in the coffee shop scene.

• Headquarters is located in Richmond Hill, ON

• Over 480 locations all over Ontario

• Projected revenue of $238.2 million CAD for 2024

We highly recommend giving them a try—you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy fresh, delicious donuts, superior iced coffees, and the charm of many older locations that are proudly family-run.

William’s Fresh Café:
The Comfortable Local Choice

We’ve highlighted William’s Fresh Café in a previous newsletter, but it’s worth revisiting as a fantastic drive-thru alternative to satisfy your drink cravings. Think of it as the perfect blend between a cozy coffee shop and a relaxed restaurant—without the pressure to spend big and all the comfort of taking it easy.

William’s Fresh Café offers a fresh and inviting experience, serving made-from-scratch food with ingredients that are 100% Canadian. They have all your favourite seasonal beverages and dishes, plus the added convenience of drive-thru options at most locations—perfect for those chilly days when stepping out of the car is the last thing you want to do.

• 14 locations all over southern Ontario with more on the way

• Projected revenue of $32.9 million CAD in 2024

If you’re looking for a warm drink or a delicious bite, William’s Fresh Café is a great spot to check out!

Hot Chocolate:
How Easy it is to Make Your Own

This week, we wanted to do something new, we wanted to introduce to our readers how easy it is to make your own hot chocolate, to enjoy through this winter season. Many of you might not know this, one of the writer’s wife is a baker, and she regularly makes their own hot chocolate every year, and we wanted to share with you how she does it.

We have a comprehensive guide here, but essentially you only need two ingredients:

• 1 cup of Cocoa Powder

• 2/3 cup of Powdered Sugar

• Mini Marshmallows (optional)

• Salt (optional)

Both of which can be found in almost any local grocery store, or better yet, your local Bulk Barn. There are two main steps:

1. Sift Powdered Sugar and Cocoa Powder into a bowl

2. Mix together until they’re consistent (you may add other ingredients as required)

That’s it, it only takes 5 minutes or less to make hot chocolate at home. To get the best flavours, we recommend trying different cocoa companies until you find one with the best flavour.

Here’s our list of alternatives for discovering a new local drink spot. While this isn’t an exhaustive list—it could easily expand to include bubble tea shops and more—we encourage you to give them a try and share your thoughts with us. We’d love to hear your feedback!

We hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter, give us your feedback below and we look forward to seeing you again next week!