The minimum wage rose on Jan. 1 to $14 an hour from $11.60.

The experiences of Alberta and Seattle, two jurisdictions that share Ontario's $15 an hour goal, offer some lessons on how to adjust to a higher minimum wage: that is, if Ontario businesses can weather the short-term storm.

The increases come after the company faced a backlash from consumers when it was revealed some franchisees cut employee benefits to offset the impact of minimum wage hikes in Ontario

A protest at the Division Street location in Cobourg drew hundreds, many carrying placards and flags.

Here's a look at the numbers behind the controversial measures that have some of the franchisees and the parent company playing the blame game:

In response to news of employee hours being cut, paid breaks and other incentives being eliminated, some are calling for a boycott of Tim Hortons on Tuesday.

Kevin Flynn says that businesses have many options open to them and raising prices could be part of a strategy to ensure they turn a profit as well as pay a living wage.

The minimum wage increased on Jan. 1 from $11.60 an hour to $14 and some businesses have implemented new rules to offset the added costs.

A statement on Tim Hortons' corporate website blames a "reckless few" franchise owners for employee benefit cuts that sparked calls for a boycott of the iconic coffee shop.

Canadians should be asking hard questions of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne rather than look to boycott Tim Hortons, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses