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Second Cup
Second Cup
Canada Parent company: Foodtastic Inc.
Coffee & Cafes
secondcup.com
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True North
100%
Capital: Canada
Capital: Canada (profits)
Control: Canada
Control: Canada (decisions)

Second Cup demonstrates high economic retention with a True North score based on its Canadian ownership and management structure. The transition to a domestic parent company has solidified its strategic control within Canada. While core commodities must be imported, the operational and capital value largely remains within the Canadian economy.

Vector Breakdown
Inputs
low
Excluded
Geography Exception: The primary raw agricultural inputs for this sector cannot be grown in the Canadian climate. Sourcing is global by necessity as no domestic alternative exists for coffee bean production.
Capital
Capital (profits)
medium
40 /40
The brand is owned by a Canadian-based multi-brand restaurant group. While there is significant foreign private equity backing, the primary ownership structure remains domestic.
Control
Control (decisions)
high
20 /20
Strategic brand decisions, menu development, and corporate management are conducted from Canadian headquarters. The parent entity maintains centralized control within Canada.
Operations
high
20 /20
The company maintains an extensive national network of franchise and corporate locations. This footprint supports a substantial number of Canadian jobs in retail and corporate support.
True North Summary

Second Cup demonstrates high economic retention with a True North score based on its Canadian ownership and management structure. The transition to a domestic parent company has solidified its strategic control within Canada. While core commodities must be imported, the operational and capital value largely remains within the Canadian economy.

Checked: 2026-01-21
Confidence: High
What Would Change This Score
  • Acquisition of the parent entity by a foreign-domiciled corporation
  • Relocation of the strategic headquarters to a foreign jurisdiction
  • Public disclosure of audited domestic sourcing percentages for non-primary inputs
Limitations
  • Supplier or input geography not disclosed publicly.
  • Inputs: certainty is low; result is based on general sector knowledge or incomplete data.
Research Details
Availability
Checked: 2026-01-23
Canada confirmed
Yes
Store locator
Found
Store locator
Province availability Found
Alberta flag
Alberta
British Columbia flag
British Columbia
Manitoba flag
Manitoba
New Brunswick flag
New Brunswick
Nova Scotia flag
Nova Scotia
Ontario flag
Ontario
Quebec flag
Quebec
Saskatchewan flag
Saskatchewan
Official store locator confirms presence in 8 provinces. No locations found in NL, PE, or the territories (YT, NT, NU).
Stores nationwide
154
The Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) reports 154 units; other 2024 tracking sources suggest up to 166 active locations.
Sources
  • "Second Cup Café has gotten a makeover... serving up a wide selection of specialty coffee, tea, and other innovative drinks, enjoyed by customers from coast to coast as Canada's largest specialty retailer."
  • "Find a Cafe"
    Source
  • "enjoyed by customers from coast to coast as Canada's largest specialty retailer."
  • "There are Second Cup Cafe locations in 8 provinces and territories in Canada... Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan."
    Source
  • "Franchise Units Canada: 154"
Allergen Guide
Checked: 2026-01-23
Allergen guide
Found
Guide link
Guide last updated
Not stated
Priority allergens listed
Yes
Cross-contact disclaimer
Unknown
Fryer status
Unknown
Sources
  • "© 2025 Foodtastic Inc. All rights reserved."
    Source
  • "We at second cup take it at heart to provide all the necessary information about our products, please click on the following link. Menu."
  • "Nutritional info. VIEW PDF FILE."
    Source
View
Simple focuses on the decision; detailed shows evidence and scoring.
Sensitivity mode
Adjusts penalty strength for missing controls; evidence stays the same.
Gluten (GF)

Checked: 2026-01-23

GF verdict
GF options listed, but no published prep protocol — high cross-contact uncertainty. If you have celiac, confirm procedures with staff.
Weak (20/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • No GF prep protocol published
  • Fryer policy not addressed
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
Ask staff
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF menu/page found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
Missing controls
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • GF prep protocol not stated
GF menu or page: Found GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Found
GF page
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Unknown
  • "Almond Date with Flax · Details ... Gluten Friendly."
    Source
  • "Gluten Friendly"
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF menu/page found (+25)
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-20)
  • GF prep protocol not stated (cap at 40)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
GF verdict
GF options listed, but no published prep protocol — high cross-contact uncertainty. If you have celiac, confirm procedures with staff.
Weak (25/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • No GF prep protocol published
  • Fryer policy not addressed
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
Ask staff
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF menu/page found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
Missing controls
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • GF prep protocol not stated
GF menu or page: Found GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Found
GF page
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Unknown
  • "Almond Date with Flax · Details ... Gluten Friendly."
    Source
  • "Gluten Friendly"
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF menu/page found (+25)
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-15)
  • GF prep protocol not stated (cap at 50)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
GF verdict
GF options listed, but no published prep protocol — high cross-contact uncertainty. If you have celiac, confirm procedures with staff.
Weak (32/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Top drivers
  • No GF prep protocol published
  • Fryer policy not addressed
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
Ask staff
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Why this verdict
Evidence found
  • GF menu/page found
  • GF cross-contact warning found
Missing controls
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • GF prep protocol not stated
GF menu or page: Found GF prep protocol: Not stated Cross-contact warning: Found Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Can a manager confirm your gluten-free prep protocol (separate surfaces/utensils)?
  • Are fries cooked in a dedicated fryer with dedicated oil?
Evidence & sources
GF menu or page
Found
GF page
GF prep protocol
Not stated
GF cross-contact warning
Found
GF certified language
Not stated
Fryer status
Unknown
  • "Almond Date with Flax · Details ... Gluten Friendly."
    Source
  • "Gluten Friendly"
    Source
Scoring details
  • GF menu/page found (+25)
  • GF cross-contact warning found (+15)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-8)
  • GF prep protocol not stated (cap at 60)
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nuts (peanut + tree nut not distinguished yet)

Checked: 2026-01-23

Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (0/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
  • Fryer/shared equipment not addressed
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Why this verdict
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Not stated Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated Last updated date: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Unknown
Fryer status
Unknown
Scoring details
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 30)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-35)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (0/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
  • Fryer/shared equipment not addressed
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Why this verdict
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Not stated Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated Last updated date: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Unknown
Fryer status
Unknown
Scoring details
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 40)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-25)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Nut verdict
No published nut policy — assume nuts may be present and cross-contact is possible.
Weak (0/100)
Evidence confidence: Medium
Measures disclosure & controls, not a guarantee.
Peanut vs tree-nut policies aren’t separated for this restaurant yet.
Top drivers
  • No explicit nut policy published
  • No cross-contact disclaimer published
  • Fryer/shared equipment not addressed
Ask staff
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Why this verdict
Missing controls
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Explicit nut policy: Not stated Cross-contact disclaimer: Not stated Fryer/shared equipment: Not stated Last updated date: Not stated
Questions to ask
  • Do you have a written peanut policy and a separate tree-nut policy?
  • Do you use shared utensils/tongs between nut and non-nut items?
  • Are fryers shared with nut-containing items?
Evidence & sources
Explicit nut policy
Not stated
Nut-free items claimed
Not stated
Cross-contact disclaimer
Unknown
Fryer status
Unknown
Scoring details
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not stated (cap at 50)
  • Cross-contact disclaimer not stated (-15)
  • Explicit nut/peanut policy not found
Safety notes
  • Scores measure published evidence and stated controls, not guaranteed safety.
  • “Not stated” means an official page was found but didn’t mention the item.
  • Policies vary by location and over time; confirm with staff.
Dietary
Checked: 2026-01-23
Vegetarian section
No
Vegetarian items (approx)
4
Vegan section
No
Vegan items (approx)
2
Halal availability
Null
Kosher availability
Null
Sources
  • "Featured Brewed Coffee Lattes & Espresso Cold Coffee Frappé & FroCho® Hot Chocolate Iced Tea & Soda Smoothies Tea Tea Lattes"
    Source
  • "Falafel Wrap. This Rolled Pita with Hummus, carrots, lettuce and Beets makes a great vegetarian option... 3 Cheese Melt... alternative to meat breakfast sandwich with egg, and cheddar... Egg White, Pesto, Swiss Cheese, Naan Breakfast Sandwich."
    Source
  • "Smoothies... Bakery... Featured"
    Source
  • "Almond Date Smoothie (contains nuts)... Gluten Friendly. Dairy Free. Vegan... Power Cookie... This healthy on-the-go cookie is plant-based, dairy free."
    Source
  • "Effective February 27, 2025, all Second Cup cafés nationwide will eliminate the additional charge for non-dairy and lactose-free milk alternatives... almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk."
    Source
  • "not_stated"
    Source
Nutrition & Ingredients
Checked: 2026-01-23
Nutrition tool or PDF
Found
Nutrition source
Calories disclosed
Yes
Sodium disclosed
Yes
Ingredients list
Not stated
MSG statement
Not stated
Artificial colors
Found
Preservatives
Found
Sources
  • "Nutritional info. VIEW PDF FILE."
    Source
  • "Product Name Nom du produit Type Size taille Calories calories Fat ipides (g) (g) Saturated Fat gras saturés (g) Trans Fat /Gras trans (g) Carbohydrate/ Glucides (g) Fibre/ Fibres (g) Sugars/ Sucres (g) Protein/ Protéines(g) Cholesterol/ Cholestérol (mg) Sodium/ Sodium (mg) Potassium"
    Source
  • "Sodium/ Sodium (mg)"
    Source
  • "Torani & Smoothie Mix Syrups: most syrups do not contain gluten ingredients except Sugar Free Vanilla and Sugar Free Hazelnut. Be sure to read the ingredient label."
    Source
  • "Second Cup Coffee Co. today announced a move to Clean Label beverages, with a commitment to eliminate artificial colours and flavours, preservatives and high fructose corn syrup from all beverages on the menu."
  • "How we define it is: drinks with no artificial flavours, no artificial colours, no preservatives and no high-fructose corn syrup being used."
    Source
Rewards Research
Checked: 2026-01-23
Program exists
Yes
Program name
The Café Club
Signup methods
App, Website, In Store
Sources
  • "© 2025 Foodtastic Inc. All rights reserved. ... Second Cup Logo"
    Source
  • "Discover our Rewards Program | Second Cup Café: With our rewards program, earn points toward a multitude of free drinks"
    Source
  • "Welcome to THE CAFÉ CLUB. What's better than that first sip? Earning rewards while you enjoy your favourite drink!"
    Source
  • "Download our app and start earning today! ... As a Café Club member, you will earn points through in-app purchasing or by scanning your loyalty card in café. ... Join our CLUB"
    Source
Financial Audit: The Café Club
Estimated Return Rate
11.97% Return
Verdict: Excellent
Based on earning 10.0000 points/$1 and redeeming 500 for $2.75 value.
Vector Breakdown
Inputs
low
Excluded
Geography Exception: The primary raw agricultural inputs for this sector cannot be grown in the Canadian climate. Sourcing is global by necessity as no domestic alternative exists for coffee bean production.
Capital
Capital (profits)
medium
40 /40
The brand is owned by a Canadian-based multi-brand restaurant group. While there is significant foreign private equity backing, the primary ownership structure remains domestic.
Control
Control (decisions)
high
20 /20
Strategic brand decisions, menu development, and corporate management are conducted from Canadian headquarters. The parent entity maintains centralized control within Canada.
Operations
high
20 /20
The company maintains an extensive national network of franchise and corporate locations. This footprint supports a substantial number of Canadian jobs in retail and corporate support.
Visit Second Cup
Visit Official Website
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