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. On November 15, the companies will open two stores in the Twin Cities, allowing guests to enjoy the highest quality coffees along with fresh-baked bagels and more, all in one place in a single transaction.
The newly remodeled locations are the first among a number of planned national stores, opening November 15, 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 offerings of both brands. The interiors of each store will include a combined check-out station and a large seating area with a fireplace.
“We have enjoyed a strong partnership with locally based Caribou Coffee in Minnesota for many years,” says Claude Bergeron, CEO of Bruegger’s Bagels parent company, Groupe Le Duff. “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, Minnesota, in 1992, with a door that connected it to Bruegger’s. Today, the two brands have 10 side-by-side locations in the Twin Cities and one in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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,” says Mike Tattersfield, Caribou Coffee’s CEO and president. “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 one medium coffee and bagel with cream cheese each week for a year. Everyone else in line prior to 6 a.m. will receive a coupon for a medium coffee and bagel with cream cheese. A ceremonial ribbon cutting will be held at 5:59 a.m. prior to doors opening at Sun Ray and HarMar.
