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Caribou Coffee, Bruegger's opening first co-branded stores

November 6, 2013

Caribou Coffee and Bruegger's Bagels have developed new co-branded locations to bring the best of both brands with greater convenience to Minnesota and soon-to-be national guests, according to a company press release. On Nov. 15, the companies will open two stores in the Twin Cities, allowing guests to enjoy coffee along with fresh-baked bagels and more — all in one place in a single transaction, said Claude Bergeron, CEO of Bruegger's Bagels parent company, Groupe Le Duff.

The newly remodeled locations are across from HarMar Mall in Roseville at 2111 Snelling Ave. North and at Sun Ray Shopping Center in St. Paul at 2133 Hudson Road. Each location has been retrofitted to deliver the high-quality, handcrafted offerings of both brands. The warm and welcoming interiors of each store will include a combined check-out station and a large seating area with a fireplace, Bergeron said.

"We have enjoyed a strong partnership with locally based Caribou Coffee in Minnesota for many years," he said. "This is our largest market, and the co-branded locations are a natural evolution, strengthening both brands and giving our guests the best of both worlds."

Caribou Coffee and Bruegger's Bagels are both independently owned but have a long shared history. Caribou opened its first location in Edina, Minn., in 1992, with a door connected to Bruegger's. Today, the two brands have 10 side-by-side locations in the Twin Cities and one in Raleigh, N.C.

Caribou plans to remodel and open its first co-branded location in Raleigh in December, and both Bruegger's and Caribou will build new combined locations from the ground up in Minnesota in 2014.

"Our guests have long known that Bruegger's Bagels and Caribou are the perfect combination, with our high quality, handcrafted beverages and Bruegger's Bagel's authentic New York-style bagels," said Caribou Coffee CEO and President Mike Tattersfield. "We're thrilled our new concept combines quality and convenience, and the partnership allows both brands to continue to focus on what each does best."

To celebrate the first of a number of planned co-branded stores, Caribou and Bruegger's will treat its first 50 guests in line before 6 a.m. at both the Sun Ray and HarMar locations to bagels and coffee for a year — one medium coffee and bagel with cream cheese each week for a year. A ceremonial ribbon cutting will be held at 5:59 a.m. prior to doors opening at Sun Ray and HarMar.

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