Caribou Coffee Brews New Growth with Oatmeal

Plans to increase wholesome breakfast offerings in 2010

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coffee is no longer the only thing worth getting out of bed for. Starting today, Caribou Coffee customers can experience wholesome, handcrafted oatmeal as a part of their morning routine.

“an experience that makes the day better.”

The new Caribou Coffee oatmeal is a smart and delicious breakfast choice for people who want a satisfying start to their day. Each bowl packs nine to 17 grams of protein, depending on the variety and flavor combination.

The coffee retailer will sell two varieties, one made with seven grains and the other a tasty oatmeal blend. Once customers pick the variety, they can choose between five flavors: Classic, Apple Cinnamon, Cranberry Orange, Maple Brown Sugar Crunch, and Very Berry.

Unlike some on-the-go breakfasts that are high in cholesterol, Caribou Coffee’s oatmeal contains zero grams of cholesterol, and the toppings have less than 10 mg of cholesterol. Plus, studies have also shown that eating oatmeal regularly lowers LDL, so-called bad cholesterol, which may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Caribou Coffee’s oatmeal also provides a significant source of fiber. For example, a serving of the Very Berry oatmeal made with the seven-grain blend provides 40 percent of a day’s recommended dietary fiber and 17 grams of protein.

“As we enhance our menu offerings, we’re very conscious of the fact that Caribou guests are looking for something quick that’s also wholesome,” Alfredo Martel, Caribou Coffee senior vice president of marketing, said. “We’re here to help them start their day on the right foot by offering a warm, satisfying breakfast and delicious, premium coffee.”

Caribou team members will prepare each handcrafted bowl of oatmeal with soy, skim or 2 percent milk. Guests can also make their own flavor combinations by choosing up to three toppings, including apple cinnamon, strawberry compote, orange compote, dried cranberries, golden raisins, almonds, maple syrup and maple brown sugar crunch.

As part of the new oatmeal launch, Caribou Coffee is offering two pairings that provide guests with a balanced breakfast at a great value. For $3.49, guests can choose any oatmeal along with a medium coffee. For $4.99, guests can get any oatmeal along with a medium latte.

Customizable oatmeal is the latest addition to Caribou Coffee food offerings, which will continue to expand in 2010. The retailer is in the testing phase of an in-store baking program in select markets. Caribou also recently reformulated chocolate beverages with all-natural Guittard^® chocolate.

Martel said the company will continue to roll out new products to satisfy customer needs and to help fuel growth within the company.

About Caribou Coffee

Caribou Coffee (NASDAQ: CBOU), founded in 1992, is the second-largest company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator in the world based on number of coffeehouses. At Caribou Coffee, our mission statement is “an experience that makes the day better.” We provide this by sourcing the highest-quality coffee in the world and craft roasting it in small batches to bring out the best in every bean. We then bring this extraordinary coffee to our customers via several channels, including grocery locations, online or via our coffeehouses, which provide a relaxing escape for customers. Caribou Coffee is committed to expanding our business by bringing this experience to new customers through multiple means without compromising our unwavering commitment to quality. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Specialty Coffee of America Association's (SCAA's) 2008 Roasters Choice Tasting Competition Gold Award. For more information, visit www.cariboucoffee.com.

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