Franchising

Caribou inks deals to open 300 franchise stores

April 25, 2023

Caribou Coffee, owned by Panera Brands, has signed several multi-unit agreements to add over 300 franchise locations over the next few years. Caribou expanded its franchise program in October 2021, marking the first time candidates had an opportunity to own traditional franchise locations in the U.S.

"Over the past 30 years, Caribou Coffee has refined and elevated the guest experience through an unwavering commitment to quality, as well as strategic investments in innovation," John Butcher, president and CEO of Caribou Coffee, said in a company release. "With a shared vision and commitment to Caribou's core values, we're thrilled to be further expanding our footprint nationwide alongside such experienced and passionate operators, and we look forward to supporting their success."

In March 2022, Caribou Coffee announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement with Mike Mariola Restaurants to franchise locations in Ohio. He and his team opened their first location last year in Wooster, Ohio, and plan to develop 60 locations in the Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati markets.

The chain also executed a multi-unit development agreement with Wake Up 727 to develop 35 locations in Pinellas County Florida, most known for the cities of St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

Paul Saber and Patrick Rogers will bring the coffeehouse brand back to Michigan as Manna Development Group plans to develop over 50 Caribou Coffee locations across Michigan, while
Hamra Enterprises signed a multi-unit agreement to open 24 Caribou Coffee locations in the St. Louis, Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri markets.

Most recently, Caribou entered into multi-unit development agreements with Kevin Ricci, owner of Covelli Family Limited Partnership, to open 60 Caribou Coffee locations in Florida, as well as Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, to add 100 Caribou Coffee locations with his three children Albert, Candace and Danielle across the northern half of Ohio, western Pennsylvania and Florida.

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee has 330 company-owned, 141 non-traditional and 294 traditional franchise locations in 11 countries.