TORONTO – Tim Hortons is continuing its international expansion with plans to open its first full-service coffee shops in Great Britain.

The company partnered with an investor to establish a master franchise joint venture company that will open the stores in England, Scotland and Wales.

In late July, Tim Hortons announced a similar agreement in the Philippines, which is the brand’s first stop in Southeast Asia.

It did not specify how many stores it plans to open in Great Britain or when, but a spokesperson said in an email that it seeks to be a leader in the market.

Daniel Schwartz, CEO of Restaurant Brands International, said in a statement that the area is an attractive market with a strong and growing coffee culture.

RBI, the parent company of Tim Hortons and Burger King, is looking to grow Tim Hortons globally.

It reported its second quarter earnings earlier this month, which showed the number of Tim Hortons locations increased about three per cent to 4,464 stores in the quarter.