Tim Hortons Inc. announces the purchase through private agreements of up to 1.2 million common shares under its share repurchase program

(All amounts in Canadian dollars)

OAKVILLE, ON, March 5, 2012 /CNW/ - Tim Hortons Inc. (NYSE: THI) (TSX: THI) today announced that it will purchase for cancellation up to 1.2 million of its common shares pursuant to private agreements with an arm's length third-party seller. The common shares so purchased will count towards the 13,668,332 common shares that Tim Hortons is entitled to repurchase for cancellation (subject to a maximum aggregate purchase price of $200 million) under its share repurchase program announced on February 23^rd, 2012.

Such purchases will be made pursuant to an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission, and will take place by way of several transactions to be effected pursuant to the terms of the applicable order, which provides that such purchases shall occur prior to March 31^st, 2012. The price that Tim Hortons will pay for the common shares purchased by it under such agreements will be negotiated by Tim Hortons and the seller and will be at a discount to the prevailing market price of Tim Hortons common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange at the time of each purchase.

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain information in this news release, particularly information regarding plans, expectations and objectives of management, including as they relate to the number of shares that may be purchased under the Company's share repurchase program, and other information, constitutes forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We refer to all of these as forward-looking statements. Various factors including competition in the quick service segment of the food service industry, general economic conditions and others described as "risk factors" in the Company's 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 28^th, 2012 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian Securities Administrators, could affect the Company's actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this news release, which speak only as to management's expectations as of the date hereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: the absence of an adverse event or condition that damages our strong brand position and reputation; the absence of a material increase in competition within the quick service restaurant segment of the food service industry; commodity costs; continuing positive working relationships with the majority of the Company's restaurant owners; the absence of any material adverse effects arising as a result of litigation; there being no significant change in the Company's ability to comply with current or future regulatory requirements; and general worldwide economic conditions.

We are presenting this information for the purpose of informing you of management's current expectations regarding these matters, and this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. We assume no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements after they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Please review the Company's Safe Harbor Statement at www.timhortons.com/en/about/safeharbor.html.

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, espresso-based hot and cold specialty drinks including lattes, cappuccinos and espresso shots, specialty teas, fruit smoothies, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches, wraps, hot breakfast sandwiches and fresh baked goods, including our trademark donuts. As of January 1^st, 2012, Tim Hortons had 4,014 systemwide restaurants, including 3,295 in Canada, 714 in the United States and 5 in the Gulf Cooperation Council. More information about the Company is available at www.timhortons.com.