TORONTO, CANADA, AND DUBAI, UAE — August 3, 2026 — The Second Cup Coffee Company Inc., a premier global specialty coffee franchise with an expansive international presence, today officially announced the appointment of Joe Walker as its new Chief Executive Officer.
The appointment marks a major strategic milestone for the brand as it accelerates its global growth.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Joe Walker as Chief Executive Officer of The Second Cup Coffee Company Inc. and to have him lead the company into its next major chapter of growth,” said the Board of Directors in a joint statement.
“Joe is a world-class retail and QSR executive with an exceptional track record of scaling iconic food and beverage brands. His deep operational knowledge, leadership experience with major multinational brands and proven execution in the GCC region make him the ideal leader to strengthen our global franchise network and add significant value.”
Walker joins The Second Cup Coffee Company Inc. following a distinguished career in global food and beverage leadership. Most recently, he led Wingstop’s rapid expansion and market penetration across the GCC.
Prior to Wingstop, Walker held a senior role at Yolk Brands, served as a director at Starbucks and built his early career foundations with global industry leaders McDonald’s and KFC.
“It is a true privilege to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer.” said Walker
“Second Cup is an iconic and much-loved brand with an extraordinary foundation built on premium coffee and authentic guest hospitality. There is already a strong sense of pride and commitment across the business, and I intend to build on that by creating a more connected, collaborative and accountable culture across our global network.
“While our heritage is proudly Canadian, our future relies on embedding ourselves deeply within the communities we serve. We will accelerate and strengthen our growing presence globally, working closely with our regional partners to unlock Second Cup’s true international potential.
“As we embark on this exciting phase of growth, we are actively looking to connect with qualified partners who share our passion and vision for developing unique Second Cup franchise opportunities around the world.” In his new role, Walker will be predominantly based in the Middle East, where he will lead the development of the region as a core international hub for the business, while continuing to lead the company’s main global base in Canada.
