Chartwells Opens First On-Campus Caribou Coffee® Store at Kansas State University

In partnership with Chartwells, the Kansas State University Student Union governing board initiated the project in spring 2006 after a decision was made to research alternative coffee shop solutions.  Caribou Coffee was selected after an initial presentation in early spring 2007. 

The 1,800 square foot store features Caribou Coffee’s signature upscale lodge setting design with textured woods, lantern lights, and a fieldstone fireplace.  The menu includes the full range of Caribou Coffee’s gourmet coffee, espresso-based drinks, premium hot teas, and branded specialty drinks like the Caramel High Rise™, Turtle Mocha™, and Caribou Coolers™.  Flavor shots and espresso shots are also offered, as well as seasonal blended drinks. 

The store accepts cash, credit/debit cards, Cat Cash (the student union’s declining balance program), and Caribou cards. 

Bernard Pitts, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of the Kansas State University K-State Student Union, explains, “The Caribou Coffee store represents a continued effort to build community and to be responsive to campus needs in a convenient way.”  The 270,000 square foot Kansas State Student Union has approximately 17,000 foot traffic daily.  “The Union is the host to the campus,” Pitts added. 

The store at Kansas State University is the first licensed Caribou Coffee operating on a college campus in the United States.  Although there is a ‘proudly brew’ Caribou Coffee program in place at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls located 50 minutes east of Minneapolis-St. Paul where Caribou Coffee is headquartered, the Kansas State University venture represents the inauguration of a brand partnership with Compass Group.

About Chartwells Higher Education
Chartwells Higher Education, a division of Compass Group, provides dining services for over 875 colleges, universities, public and private schools around the country.  Chartwells has been a proud partner at Kansas State University since July 1996.  For more information, visit www.dineoncampus.com/kstate or www.eatlearnlive.com.

About Compass Group
Charlotte-based Compass Group, The Americas is the leading food management company with more than $8.4 billion in revenues. Its parent company, UK-based Compass Group PLC was ranked the 12th largest employer by Fortune magazine in 2006. It has worldwide revenues of $19.5 billion. www.cgnad.com.

About Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee Company Inc. (NASDAQ: CBOU), founded in 1992 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the second largest, company-owned, gourmet coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses. Caribou Coffee operates 465 coffeehouses, including 24 licensed locations. Caribou Coffee's coffeehouses are located in 18 states and the District of Columbia. Caribou Coffee offers its customers high-quality, gourmet coffee and espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and related products. Caribou Coffee also sells products to club stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, office coffee providers, airlines, hotels, sports and entertainment venues, college campuses and other commercial customers. In addition, Caribou Coffee licenses third parties to use the Caribou Coffee brand on quality food and merchandise items. Caribou Coffee focuses on creating a unique experience for customers through a combination of high-quality products, a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment and customer service.  For more information about Caribou Coffee Company, visit www.cariboucoffee.com. 

News release courtesy of Compass-USA.  Photos courtesy of Tom Mahoney.