Oakville commuters now have another option for coffee, breakfast and quick meals at the city’s GO station, following the opening of a new Second Cup café at Oakville GO Station.
The café is operated by longtime franchisees Yaling and Quan Ma, who have been part of the Second Cup network for 18 years. The opening expands the brand’s presence in partnership with Metrolinx and places the café inside a transit setting where customers move through the station throughout the day.
“Opening this new location at Oakville GO Station is an exciting addition to our ongoing partnership with Metrolinx,” said Roxane Desjardins, marketing director at Second Cup Café.
Second Cup Brand Leader David DiRaddo said the station sees approximately 10,000 riders each day, creating a consistent customer base for food and beverages. The company said it assessed how people use the station at different points in the day before planning the location, with the aim of matching its offering to established commuting routines.
A café planned around the commute
The business expects demand to shift as the day progresses. Morning customers are likely to be looking for coffee, tea and a fast breakfast before boarding a train, while midday visitors may be seeking sandwiches, snacks or refreshments. During the afternoon and evening, returning passengers may want a drink or something convenient to take home.
- Morning: coffee, tea and quick breakfast items for passengers heading to their trains.
- Midday: sandwiches, snacks and refreshments for people travelling through the station.
- Afternoon and evening: coffee and convenient food for returning commuters.
DiRaddo said the location’s operating approach is being shaped by train schedules. That means the café’s hours and staffing are intended to reflect the station’s early-morning and evening travel periods rather than operate like a conventional neighbourhood café with a uniform customer flow. The company described commuter convenience and repeat visits as central to the location’s business model.
Part of a larger Canadian restaurant network
The Oakville opening is part of Foodtastic’s broader Canadian restaurant portfolio. Second Cup is one of the franchisor’s banners, alongside Freshii, Quesada, Pita Pit and Milestones, among more than 22 brands. Foodtastic operates more than 1,200 locations across Canada, according to the company.
| Location detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Site | Oakville GO Station |
| Operators | Yaling and Quan Ma |
| Franchise experience | 18 years with Second Cup |
| Approximate daily station traffic | 10,000 riders |
| Planning timeline | In development since 2020 |
The café had been in development since 2020, according to Second Cup. Its eventual arrival gives passengers an additional service at a station that functions as a daily link between Oakville and the wider GO network. For people already passing through the terminal, the new business is positioned as a stop that can be incorporated into an existing trip rather than a destination requiring a separate visit.
The opening also reflects the role transit stations play in the city’s commercial life. With thousands of riders moving through Oakville GO over the course of a day, the café is joining an environment where travel schedules, convenience and reliable access are central to customer decisions. Second Cup said the new location will support its push into high-traffic, transit-focused sites while serving the routines of local passengers.
