Tim Hortons and Jason Priestley are looking for a new donut: will it be yours?

$10,000 at stake in Tim Hortons first-ever Duelling Donuts contest.
Canadian actor Jason Priestley will help decide the finalists.

OAKVILLE, ON, June 22, 2013 /CNW/ - Calling all donut lovers!  Do you have what it takes to win Jason Priestley's vote? For the first time in Tim Hortons history, Canadians have the chance to create what could be the next donut to be added to Tim Hortons iconic menu. Starting today, through July 21, 2013, Canadians have the opportunity to create a new donut flavour that could be chosen as one of eight finalists by Tim Hortons and celebrity guest judge, Jason Priestley. Once the final eight have been selected, it will be left up to Canadians to make the final winning decision by voting for the ultimate donut winner, who not only wins some (serious) bragging rights, but will also take home $10,000.

"It's no secret I love Tim Hortons, and I can't wait to help choose the finalists for the first-ever Tim Hortons donut as voted for by Canadians themselves," says Jason Priestley. "I think all Canadians have a favourite Tim Hortons donut, but I bet many also have a flavour that they dreamed of having as well. My Tim Hortons dream donut became a reality, and now another lucky Tim Hortons fan could see theirs come to life, too. It will be fun to see how well contestants know their dough!"

To enter the contest, Canadians can visit www.duellingdonuts.ca or TimHortons.com/DuellingDonuts until July 21, 2013, to create their unique donut using an online donut configurator. When the submission stage ends, Tim Hortons and Jason Priestley will judge the donuts and choose eight contenders who will go head-to-head in a tournament-style competition, where Canadians will choose the winning Tim Hortons donut during an open voting period that begins on August 5, 2013.

"There's no question that donuts have been an inextricable part of Tim Hortons history since we first opened our doors in 1964. Our guests are passionate about our donuts, and often share with us new flavour ideas, as well. We want to thank them for making Tim Hortons Canada's favourite donut destination," says Donna Finelli, Vice President Marketing, Food and Merchandise, Tim Hortons. "Duelling Donuts is exciting because it marks a milestone in our history: our guests are going to surprise us with what could inspire our next donut to be added to the Tim Hortons menu, and we're really looking forward to seeing what the favourite will be."

The voting period for the contest runs from August 5, 2013, to August 18, 2013. After which, the winner of the Duelling Donuts contest will be announced and awarded $10,000 cash and could have their donut added to the Tim Hortons menu. The second, third and fourth place donut designs will receive $500 in Tim Cards each, and the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth place donut designs will receive $100 in Tim Cards each. In addition, Tim Hortons will be awarding 30 random prizes of $100 in Tim Cards during both the design phase and voting phase.

Tim Hortons encourages its social media fans to share their donut favourites throughout the contest. Fans can join the conversation on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/timhortons, or follow on Twitter @TimHortons and Instagram @TimHortons and tag their photos and comments with #TimsDuellingDonuts.

About Tim Hortons Inc.
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, espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots, specialty teas, fruit smoothies, home-style soups, fresh Panini and classic sandwiches, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts. As of March 31st, 2013, Tim Hortons had 4,288 systemwide restaurants, including 3,453 in Canada, 808 in the United States and 27 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com. Follow Tim Hortons on Twitter: www.twitter.com/timhortons.

SOURCE: Tim Hortons