Multiple Tim Hortons locations on campus close 

Tim Hortons in Mary Keyes and MDCL close after franchise agreement ends

Earlier this September, McMaster University witnessed a number of changes to its campus dining options. Second Cup has replaced the Tim Hortons located in Bistro-2-go at Mary E. Keyes Residence, and the one at the Michael Degroote Centre for Learning has been replaced by Café One.

Previously, Tim Hortons in Bistro-2-go served a limited range of hot and cold beverages alongside baked goods as an express store. With its closure, Second Cup has taken over, introducing a menu that includes seasonal and specialty.

Meanwhile, Café One in MDCL, located where a self-serve Tim Hortons station previously was, now serves Ethical Bean Coffee. The familiar Tim Hortons logo has been replaced with McMaster Hospitality Service.

Hufriya Kateli-Saxena, Manager of Communications and Marketing for Hospitality Services, discussed these changes in an interview with the Silhouette.

“The franchise agreements were up for both locations, and at that time, Tim Hortons did not want to renew the franchise agreements … the MDCL and Bistro stores were kind of express stores, and that isn’t the business model that Tim Hortons is following anymore,” said Kateli-Saxena. 

The franchise agreements were up for both locations, and at that time Tim Hortons did not want to renew the franchise agreements … the MDCL and Bistro stores were kind of express stores, and that isn’t the business model that Tim Hortons is following anymore.

Hufriya Kateli-Saxena, Manager
Communications and Marketing for Hospitality Services

Additionally, Kateli-Saxena mentioned that the senior leadership team within McMaster Hospitality Services also made the decision to close the Tim Hortons locations after considering various other factors. They reviewed independent student feedback surveys and consulted with other Ontario universities to enhance the student dining experience.

Kateli-Saxena noted that positive feedback from the First Year Dining Committee and First Year Council regarding the Second Cup kiosk at Peter George Centre for Living and Learning influenced their decision.

"The Second Cup has done very well in Peter George, is well appreciated, and is also a potential factor that can weigh into a decision being made," Kateli-Saxena said.

Despite the closures of these two locations, McMaster students can still purchase Tim Hortons on campus in the McMaster University Student Centre.