Justin Bieber’s Timbiebs donuts boost Tim Hortons sales

admin 2022年2月22日

Intermediate

Business & Economy, Business & Economy - Intermediate, entertainment, entertainment - intermediate

Pre-reading questions:

I will read each question. Then, please answer them.

Who is your favorite celebrity? What do you like about him/her?
What is your go-to snack? Please tell me more about it.

Vocabulary:

I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.

influence /IN-floo-uhns/

[noun] – the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this
Studio Ghibli had a huge influence on Laura’s life.

upgrade /uhp-GREYD/

[verb] – to improve the quality or usefulness of something, or change it for something newer or of a better standard
They need to upgrade the hotel facilities to attract more guests.

strategy /STRAT-i-jee/

[noun] – a detailed plan for achieving success in situations such as war, politics, business, industry, or sport, or the skill of planning for such situations
He spent all night thinking of a better strategy to promote the product.

partnership /PAHRT-ner-ship/

[noun] – the state of being a partner
We secured a partnership with The Coca-Cola Company.

declare /dih-KLAIR/

[verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially
Mr. Yamamoto declared his support for the proposal.

Article reading:

Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

Tim Hortons’ sales continue to improve amid pandemic lows, partly due to singer Justin Bieber. The coffee chain’s parent company, Restaurant Brands International, reported that sales rose 10.3% at stores open at least a year in the fourth quarter of 2021. In November 2021, Tim Hortons partnered with the Canadian singer to create a new line of Timbits, its signature donut holes, which was officially named “Timbiebs.” The company needed celebrity influence to boost sales after a significant dip last year. It has also been upgrading its main menu and improving its digital strategy. Bieber expressed that a partnership with the coffee chain has always been his dream.

Timbiebs Timbits collection consisted of three donut flavors that were created by Bieber, including chocolate white fudge, sour cream chocolate chip, and birthday cake waffle, as well as branded merchandise. Chief executive Jose Cil declared himself a superfan of the music star. “I’m a Belieber,” he said, using a word Bieber’s biggest fans call themselves. Restaurant Brands International (QSR) also owns Burger King and Popeyes.

Comprehension questions

I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.

How many percent did Tim Horton’s sales increase in the fourth quarter of 2021?
Aside from partnering with Justin Bieber, what else has Tim Horton been doing to boost its sales?
What are the three donut flavors you can try from Timbiebs?
Aside from donuts, what else can you purchase from the Timbiebs collection?
What other brands are under Restaurant Brands International? (QSR)

Discussion questions