Tim Hortons launches new LED lighting program

-- Aims to reduce energy consumption in North American restaurants --

OAKVILLE, ON, April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and promoting green building practices in its more than 4,400 restaurants, this Earth Day, Tim Hortons is announcing a new initiative to replace all existing lighting fixtures in restaurants across Canada and the United States with energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lighting from Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA). The conversion program will see 485 restaurants outfitted with LED lighting in 2014 alone, translating to an estimated 6.4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) in energy savings.

In partnership with Philips, the global leader in lighting, all newly-built and renovated Tim Hortons restaurants will have their existing fluorescent and halogen lights replaced with energy-efficient Philips LED fixtures, which use up to 40 per cent less energy than fluorescent bulbs while providing soft, balanced direct and reflected light for a minimum of 50,000 hours.

"At Tim Hortons, we are always looking to new technologies and designs to improve energy efficiencies in our restaurants and reduce our overall environmental footprint," said John Macey, Manager, Sustainable Design, Tim Hortons Inc. "Switching to LED lighting is an easy way to save energy while improving the light quality and atmosphere in our restaurants to ensure the best possible guest experience."

LED lighting uses significantly less energy, lasts longer, and requires less frequent maintenance and replacement than traditional light sources. The projected annual energy savings for a standard 2,500 square-foot restaurant with more than 60 lights (from exterior signage to illuminated menu boards to overhead lighting in the kitchen area, washrooms, and dining room) is approximately 18,336 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. With 485 North American restaurants scheduled to receive LED lighting by December 31, 2014, the program will save approximately 6,366,780 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity this year.

• This is equal to:
• the total annual energy consumed by 400 single-family homes
• the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 924 passenger vehicles, or
• the annual CO₂ emissions from burning 4,713,674 pounds of coal¹

"As the global leader in LED lighting and a recognized leader in sustainability worldwide, we are proud to work with an environmentally-conscious company like Tim Hortons to present its restaurants in the best possible light, while also supporting its ongoing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint," said Michael Gentile, Vice President, Philips Lighting Canada. "With our innovative portfolio of advanced LED systems, Tim Hortons will be able to do both while significantly reducing energy consumption."

For more information about Tim Hortons commitment to sustainability and responsibility, please visit sustainabilityreport.timhortons.com.

For more information about Philips commitment to sustainability please visit philips.com/sustainability. For more information on Philips lighting, please visit philips.com/lighting.

Tim Hortons Inc. Overview
Tim Hortons is one of the largest publicly-traded restaurant chains in North America based on market capitalization, and the largest in Canada. Operating in the quick service segment of the restaurant industry, Tim Hortons appeals to a broad range of consumer tastes, with a menu that includes premium coffee, hot and cold specialty drinks (including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots), specialty teas and fruit smoothies, fresh baked goods, grilled Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, soups, prepared foods and other food products. As of December 29, 2013, Tim Hortons had 4,485 systemwide restaurants, including 3,588 in Canada, 859 in the United States and 38 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.

About Royal Philips:
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2013 sales of EUR 23.3 billion and employs approximately 115,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

For B-Roll footage to support this story please visit:
http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=782

Video: The Tim Hortons LED Lighting Story. Video available here.

B-Roll: Tim Hortons LED Lighting B-Roll. Video available here.

¹ According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency's clean energy equivalencies calculator, available online at http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html.

SOURCE Tim Hortons