Fair. Ruralish Iowa here. I have a few local myself, which I do love to visit, but when I'm visiting my small town family I'm generally lucky if there's a grocery store within 20 miles that isn't the gas station.
Facts, I'm waiting for fall to get fresh cider donuts from the local farms and farmers market.
There's a couple local shops for more classic donuts (one has won statewide competitions) but their donuts are a bit overwhelming (v large) for any regularity and of course pricier. Worth it for myself occasionally, but too expensive to justify for coworkers.
Flavor profile is more balanced. Krispy is way too sweet. Dunkin is pretty bad too.
Havent tried Tims in the US but I imagine it's bad. Have you tried Dunkin or Krispy Kreme? Tim Horton's is far from perfect but guarantee as a Canadian you'll never go back to either unless you have an American sized sweet tooth.
Most Americans I know find Timmies too bland because they're used to being punched in the face with HFCS.
I like tim hortons (I’ve only tried the candian ones) but its pretty obvious when you eat them that krispy kreme is a lot more fresh and imo a doughnut needs to be fresh to be really good.
I agree Tims at the end of the day on a college campus is a bit sus but if both are fresh I prefer Tims. I feel like I'm being orally violated by HCFS with Krispy.