MINNEAPOLIS — In a move the companies claim is a combination of the best coffee with the best bagels, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels have launched a new concept that will give consumers access to Caribou’s specialty coffee and Einstein’s fresh-baked bagels under one roof.
 |
| Mike Tattersfield, president and c.e.o., Caribou Coffee and ENRGI |
“We saw an opportunity to bring Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels, two beloved brands, together,” said Mike Tattersfield, president and chief executive officer, Caribou Coffee and ENRGI. “A place where specialty coffee and fresh-baked bagels live together under one roof doesn’t exist at scale, and we’re excited to bring this concept to guests across the country.”
The company will open locations in the companies’ home states of Colorado and Minnesota, with additional markets being introduced this year. The companies expect to draw on their strengths in different geographies to enter markets where one brand has a loyal following. For example, Caribou Coffee will enter two new markets this year in Arizona and Florida, where Einstein Bros. Bagels has existing locations.
Throughout the remainder of 2015, the company plans to expand the concept to 20 locations across the United States, with additional locations to open in 2016 and beyond. This year, the concept will add over 700 new jobs nationwide.
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse in the United States with more than 272 company-owned stores and 131 domestic license locations in 18 states and 209 international franchise stores in 10 countries.
Founded in 1993, Einstein Bros. Bagels is part of the Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. family, a quick-casual company also known for the Noah’s New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel brands. In addition to bagels, Einstein Bros. also serves gourmet bagel sandwiches, coffee, espresso, salads, sweets and snacks. Einstein Bros. has more than 600 locations in 40 states, including the District of Columbia.
Einstein Noah was acquired late last year by JAB Holding, which also has a majority stake in Caribou Coffee Co.
This is not the first time Caribou has teamed up with a bagel company under one roof. In 2013, Caribou experimented with a co-location strategy with Bruegger’s Bagels (before JAB acquired Einstein Noah). Bruegger’s is owned by Dallas-based Le Duff America Inc. The partnership with Bruegger’s is expected to continue, but growth going forward will focus on the Caribou/Einstein combination, the company said.
