In 2008, Ron Joyce gave Mount Allison University $5 million to establish the Ron Joyce Centre for Business Studies.
Mr. Joyce was a well-known Canadian entrepreneur. From his initial investment in his first Tim Hortons donut shop in 1964, he developed the business into one of the most successful fast-food restaurant chains in the world. He co-founded the TDL Group Ltd., which licenses Tim Hortons restaurants internationally. Mr. Joyce sold the business to Wendy's International Inc. in 1996. In 2006, he published a book Always Fresh, which outlines the strategy behind the growth of Tim Hortons and gives candid accounts of his business successes and failures.
Mr. Joyce established the Tim Horton Children's Foundation in 1974 to honour Tim Horton's love for children and his desire to help those less fortunate. This non-profit, charitable organization provides a fun-filled camp environment for children from economically disadvantaged homes. The Foundation runs two camps in Ontario, and one each in Quebec, Alberta, Kentucky, and in Mr. Joyce's birthplace, Tatamagouche, NS.
Mr. Joyce was honoured on numerous occasions, including: receiving the Order of Canada in honour of his dedication to underprivileged children and youth; induction into the Canadian Business Hall of Fame; Entrepreneur of the Year for Ontario and Canada; the Gary Wright Humanitarian Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the betterment of community life as founder of the Tim Hortons Children’s Foundation; and the Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year Award.
His achievements also earned him several honorary doctoral degrees from universities, including McMaster, Queen’s, Mount Allison, St. Mary’s, Cape Breton, Niagara Falls, and the University of Calgary.