Food and Beverage
Tim Hortons just turned a Toronto location into a Back to Hogwarts Harry Potter takeover — and it’s open now
Tim Hortons has transformed its 815 Caledonia Rd. Toronto location into a Back to Hogwarts Harry Potter takeover, plus new House donuts, Patronus cups and more across Canada.
If your late-summer routine includes a “Tims run” and a little wizarding-world nostalgia, Tim Hortons just gave you a reason to detour. To celebrate its new Harry Potter-inspired collaboration — complete with themed menu items, merch, limited-edition packaging, and plenty of fan-service easter eggs — Tim Hortons has transformed one Toronto restaurant into a full Back to Hogwarts-themed takeover.
The pop-up-style experience is open now at 815 Caledonia Rd. in Toronto, and it’s only around for a limited time.
A magical makeover, inside and out
The first thing you’ll notice is the exterior: the familiar Tim Hortons façade has been replaced with a bold Harry Potter x Tim Hortons design inspired by the collaboration’s limited-edition packaging.
Step inside and the theme goes even harder. The restaurant features celebratory displays inspired by moments from the Harry Potter film series, including:
- Platform 9 ¾-inspired elements
- A Hogwarts Great Hall vibe
- A Sorting Hat-themed photo opportunity for guests
Tim Hortons says the goal is to make fans feel like they’ve entered the wizarding world the moment they arrive.
“We want Harry Potter fans to be able to imagine that they have stepped into the wizarding world the moment they arrive for their Tims Run,” said Hope Bagozzi, Chief Marketing Officer for Tim Hortons.
The Harry Potter magic is rolling out across Canada, too
Even if you can’t make it to Toronto, Tim Hortons locations across Canada are leaning into the Back to Hogwarts energy — timed to the seasonal tradition and the 25th anniversary of the Harry Potter film brand, according to the release.
Here’s what’s available (while supplies last, and at participating locations):
Hogwarts House Donuts (pick your House)
Tim Hortons is offering four House-themed donuts:
- Gryffindor Strawberry Cheesecake Donut
- Slytherin Chocolate Pistachio Donut
- Ravenclaw Blueberry Donut
- Hufflepuff Lemon Meringue Donut
And yes, there are Golden Snitch Caramel Timbits — plus a limited-edition Golden Snitch Timbits Holder.
Colour-changing cups that reveal Patronuses
Order select cold drinks and you’ll get a temperature-activated cup that reveals a trail of Patronuses when filled.
Featured drinks include:
- Patronus Sparkling Quenchers (customizable with lemonade, protein dairy beverage, or frozen)
- Forbidden Forest Iced Tea Quenchers (available at participating restaurants where fountain beverages are served)
Collectable merch and limited-edition gift cards
In addition to the Golden Snitch Timbits Holder, participating restaurants will carry limited-edition “25 Years of Magic” gift cards.
Harry Potter Trivia Night (Aug. 28)
On Aug. 28, participating Tim Hortons restaurants will host a Harry Potter Trivia Night to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the first film and the kickoff of Back to Hogwarts.
Tims Rewards contest: win a trip to London
From Aug. 17 to Sept. 6, Tims Rewards members who order and scan (in-restaurant, in the app, or on TimShop.ca) will be entered for a chance to win one of two grand prizes: a Harry Potter VIP experience for two in London, England.
Contest details are listed at www.timhortons.ca/harrypotter.
Limited-edition packaging with easter eggs
Tim Hortons is also rolling out limited-edition Harry Potter packaging across select items, including:
- Single-item donut boxes
- Multi-pack donut boxes
- 10-pack and 20-pack Timbits boxes
- Cold beverage cups
The packaging is designed to be more than just collectible — it’s packed with hidden references for fans.
If you’re in Toronto: here’s the play
If you can swing it, the 815 Caledonia Rd. takeover is the kind of limited-time brand experience that’s built for photos, fandom, and a quick treat run that feels like an event. Between the Sorting Hat photo moment and the themed menu lineup, it’s basically a mini Back to Hogwarts celebration — with coffee.
And if you’re not in Toronto, the House donuts, colour-changing cups, trivia night, and limited-edition packaging give you plenty of ways to join the fun from your local Tims.
Source: Tim Hortons Canada
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Community
Veggies for Veterans Distributes 600 Produce Bags at Phoenix VA
Volunteers distributed 600 bags of fresh produce in less than an hour during the latest Veggies for Veterans event at the Phoenix VA Medical Center. Santander participated for the first time, while Peddler’s Son donated watermelons.
Last Updated on September 17, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Santander made its first appearance alongside volunteers and partners supporting the fresh-food distribution.
PHOENIX — Volunteers distributed 600 bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to veterans in less than an hour during the September 10 Veggies for Veterans event at the Phoenix VA Medical Center.
Hosted by Diana Gregory Outreach Services, the event brought volunteers together in an assembly line to pack grocery bags and distribute them to waiting veterans. Participating volunteer groups and partners included SRP, State Farm, Fry’s, Legacy and Santander. This marked Santander’s first appearance at a Veggies for Veterans event.
“It’s been almost a decade since we’ve been doing Veggies for Veterans,” Diana Gregory said. “We want to thank all the volunteers, our partners and everyone who makes this possible.”
Veterans received an additional seasonal treat during the distribution. Peddler’s Son donated watermelons for the event, providing a bonus item alongside the bags of produce.
Dr. Isabel Kozak, a partner in the outreach effort, said the fresh food can be especially meaningful for veterans managing chronic health conditions.
“We distributed 600 bags to veterans today, and I heard many, many heartfelt thank-yous,” Dr. Kozak said. “We have veterans who have hypertension and diabetes, and I think it’s really important that we provide this very nutritious food.”
The strong early turnout kept volunteers busy as veterans moved through the indoor distribution area and the outdoor setup near the medical center’s main entrance. Gregory praised the teamwork that allowed all 600 bags to be handed out in under an hour.
Diana Gregory Outreach Services plans to hold two more community events before the end of 2026. One will be another Veggies for Veterans distribution in November, featuring more fresh fruits and vegetables.
The organization’s continuing work supports its broader mission of uplifting veterans and seniors throughout the Phoenix community.
Reporting and video production by STM Daily News and TNC Network, LLC.
Foodie News
Wingstop Kicks Off Football Season With Lemon Pepper Trio and First-Ever Wing Pass
Wingstop is kicking off football season with two new twists on its iconic Lemon Pepper flavor and its first-ever Wing Pass, offering select fans weekly Watch Party Bundles throughout the regular season.
Two new takes on Wingstop’s popular Lemon Pepper flavor are joining the menu as the chain rolls out a limited-edition Wing Pass aimed at football watch parties.
Football season is underway, and Wingstop is betting that wings will remain a major part of the weekly game-day spread.
The Dallas-based restaurant chain is expanding one of its signature flavors with the launch of its new Lemon Pepper Trio, featuring the familiar Original Lemon Pepper alongside two new variations: Lemon Pepper Chili Crunch and Lemon Pepper Chili Glaze.
The trio will receive an early release for Club Wingstop members beginning Sept. 10 before becoming available nationwide at participating U.S. locations on Sept. 15 for a limited time, according to the company.
Three Takes on Lemon Pepper
Wingstop’s Original Lemon Pepper combines lemon flavor with cracked black pepper in the dry rub that has become one of the chain’s best-known offerings.
The two newcomers take that familiar flavor in different directions.
Lemon Pepper Chili Crunch starts with the traditional Lemon Pepper dry rub and adds crispy Korean chili crunch, introducing additional texture and heat.
Lemon Pepper Chili Glaze goes in a sweeter and saucier direction, combining citrus flavor and sweet heat with crispy Korean chili crunch.
All three flavors can be ordered on Wingstop’s classic wings, giving customers the option of sticking with the original or trying one of the spicier variations.
“Lemon Pepper is an iconic flavor, and Wingstop is proud of the role we’ve played in bringing it to fans around the world,” Wingstop President and CEO Michael Skipworth said in announcing the promotion.
The new flavors arrive as restaurants and food brands compete for a place in one of the biggest recurring food occasions of the fall: football watch parties.
Wingstop Introduces Its First Wing Pass
Wingstop is also taking an unusual approach to football-season promotions with its first Wing Pass, essentially turning weekly wing orders into the restaurant equivalent of a season ticket.
Each Wing Pass provides access to as many as 18 Watch Party Bundles, representing one bundle for each week of the regular football season.
A Watch Party Bundle includes 20 classic wings in as many as four flavors, a large order of fries and a large ranch.
Here’s where the promotion becomes especially notable: Wingstop says the Wing Pass costs $27.99 — the price of a single Watch Party Bundle.
Only 100 passes are being made available.
Club Wingstop members can purchase the limited passes beginning Sept. 10 at noon Central Time through Wingstop’s Wingshop. Passholders will then receive a Watch Party Bundle offer through their Wingstop app account each Sunday morning during the 18-week season, subject to the promotion’s terms and conditions.
With only 100 passes available nationwide, the Wing Pass is less a traditional discount program than a limited promotional event designed to generate attention around Wingstop’s football-season push.
Wings and Football Remain a Powerful Combination
The promotion highlights just how closely chicken wings have become associated with watching football in the United States. Restaurants routinely introduce larger bundles, limited flavors and game-day promotions as fans gather at homes, sports bars and restaurants throughout the season.
For Wingstop, the strategy combines both sides of that equation.
The Lemon Pepper Trio gives customers something new to try, while the Wing Pass encourages the idea of making Wingstop part of a weekly football routine.
Founded in 1994, Wingstop has grown to more than 3,000 restaurants worldwide. The company reported more than $5 billion in system-wide sales during fiscal 2025 and has ambitions of becoming one of the world’s top 10 restaurant brands.
Whether Lemon Pepper Chili Crunch or Lemon Pepper Chili Glaze develops the following of Wingstop’s original version remains to be seen. But for Lemon Pepper fans looking for something different during football season, the starting lineup just got a little bigger.
Source: Wingstop Restaurants Inc., press release issued Sept. 9, 2026.
Availability and promotional offers may vary by participating location. The Lemon Pepper Trio is a limited-time offering while supplies last. The Wing Pass is subject to Wingstop’s official terms and conditions.
Sources
- Wingstop — Lemon Pepper Trio and First-Ever Wing Pass announcement — Wingstop’s official Sept. 9, 2026 announcement covering the Lemon Pepper Chili Crunch, Lemon Pepper Chili Glaze and Wing Pass.
- PR Newswire — Wingstop Kicks Off Football Season with New Lemon Pepper Trio and Wing Pass — Original distributed press release dated Sept. 9, 2026.
Related Links
- Wingstop Lemon Pepper Flavor Guide — Background on Wingstop’s original Lemon Pepper dry rub, including its lemon and cracked-pepper flavor profile.
- Wingstop Investor Relations — Corporate information, financial results and current company announcements.
- Wingstop News & Press Releases — Additional Wingstop product launches and company news, including its recent Carolina Gold and Jamaican Jerk promotion.
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WESTON, Mo. — Kansas City barbecue is heading north to historic Weston, Missouri, where dozens of competition pitmasters are battling for more than prize money. The winner could soon be serving their barbecue to travelers from around the world. UPDATE: Smokey Bey’s BBQ of Liberty, Missouri, led by pitmaster Charles Bey, was crowned Grand Champion of the 2026 Made for KC BBQ Championship. The victory earned the team $10,000 and an 18-month licensing agreement to become the featured pitmaster at the Made for KC BBQ Experience at Kansas City International Airport beginning in March 2027. The final competition included 44 teams, according to post-event reports.
The 4th Annual Made for KC BBQ Championship, held August 21–22, 2026, brought 47 of the region’s top competition barbecue teams to downtown Weston, with Holladay Distillery serving as a host partner.
The weekend began Friday with a VIP event on the grounds of the historic distillery before teams settled in for an overnight cook ahead of Saturday’s competition.
More Than a Barbecue Trophy
Created by OHM Concession Group in partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS), the Made for KC BBQ Championship offers competitors an unusually valuable prize.
The 2026 championship features a $33,500 total purse, including $10,000 for the Grand Champion. But the biggest opportunity may come after the smokers cool down.
The winning team receives an 18-month licensing agreement to become the next featured pitmaster at the Made for KC BBQ Experience at Kansas City International Airport, beginning March 1, 2027.
The Grand Champion’s name, recipes, rubs and sauces will be showcased at the approximately 8,000-square-foot restaurant, putting the winning team’s barbecue in front of travelers passing through Kansas City.
That makes the competition more than a traditional barbecue contest. For one pitmaster, it could provide a major platform to introduce their food and brand to an international audience.
Competition Barbecue Meets Kansas City’s Airport
The Made for KC BBQ Experience opened alongside Kansas City International Airport’s new terminal in 2023. Its concept gives competition barbecue teams an opportunity rarely available on the traditional barbecue circuit: moving their food from cook-offs and judging tables into a major commercial restaurant.
A new Grand Champion is featured at the airport restaurant every 18 months.
In 2024, Meat Rushmore BBQ of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, captured the championship and later became the featured pitmaster at the airport location.
The competition is designed to continue that rotation while highlighting the deep barbecue culture associated with the Kansas City region.
Barbecue and Bourbon in Historic Weston
Weston provides a fitting setting for the competition.
Holladay Distillery was founded there in 1856 and is celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2026. According to the company, it remains the oldest continuously operating distillery on its original site in Missouri.
“Hosting the Made for KC BBQ Championship is exactly the kind of opportunity we’re proud to bring to Weston,” Patrick Fee, Holladay Distillery’s vice president of sales and marketing, said in the announcement.
“This competition celebrates the craftsmanship and traditions that make our region special, while bringing talented people from across the barbecue community right here to our hometown.”
The combination of bourbon, barbecue and a historic Missouri town also gives the championship an identity that extends beyond the judging tent.
“Bourbon and barbecue have always been a natural pairing,” Fee said.
A Bigger Prize for Kansas City Pitmasters
Competition barbecue can require years of practice, specialized equipment, travel and countless hours tending smokers in pursuit of trophies and recognition.
The Made for KC championship adds something different: the possibility of turning a competition victory into a lengthy restaurant residency.
For the 2026 Grand Champion, that means going from an overnight cook in Weston to having their recipes served at one of the region’s busiest transportation gateways.
And for travelers arriving in Kansas City, it offers something equally interesting — an opportunity to experience barbecue created by the people who compete seriously in one of America’s best-known barbecue regions.
The Made for KC BBQ Championship may take place in Weston, but for the winning pitmaster, the journey is only beginning.
Source: Holladay Distillery press release, August 21, 2026. The Made for KC BBQ Championship was created by OHM Concession Group in partnership with the Kansas City Barbeque Society.
Source & Related Links
Primary/official sources
Holladay Distillery — Official site for the historic Weston distillery, which says it has been making bourbon for 170 years.
Kansas City Barbeque Society — Made for KC Championship background — Background on the competition and its relationship with the airport restaurant.
Kansas City International Airport — Made for KC BBQ Experience — Official airport background explaining how championship pitmasters rotate through the airport restaurant.
Vantage Group — Meat Rushmore airport residency — Details on previous champion Meat Rushmore and the 18-month airport showcase.
2026 results
FireBoard — 2026 Made for KC BBQ Championship results — Reports Smokey Bey’s BBQ as the 2026 Grand Champion.
KCTV — Smokey Bey’s wins 2026 championship — Post-event coverage of the winner and upcoming airport residency.
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