Caribou Coffee becomes latest JAB Holdings-controlled coffee company to deploy a subscription business model
Caribou Coffee operates 320 company-owned locations across the US | Photo credit: Caribou Coffee
Coffee shop chain Caribou Coffee has launched a retail packaged coffee subscription in the US.
The new proposition will deliver coffee beans, K-Cup pods, teas and ready-to-drink canned beverages direct to consumers.
"While our brand has a strong brick-and-mortar presence in the Midwest, we know that there are passionate Caribou Coffee fans in all 50 states," said Erin Newkirk, VP of Brand Strategy at Caribou Coffee.
The launch highlights the growing opportunities for e-commerce and at-home coffee in the US. In April 2021, food-to-go and coffee chain Panera Bread, which like Caribou Coffee is controlled by Luxembourg headquartered JAB Holdings, revealed more than half of its sales of around $2bn now come from e-commerce channels.
Both Panera Bread and Pret A Manger, which was acquired by JAB Holdings in 2018, currently offer hot beverage subscription services in the US.
In 2018, JAB Holdings also invested online coffee retailer Trade, which offers a curated selection of premium and specialty coffees on a subscription basis.
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee operates more than 320 company owned locations across the US, with 130 domestic license locations in 22 states, and over 280 franchise stores across Asia, Africa and the Middle East.