2024 Annual Impact Review
We are proud to share and celebrate the progress Caribou Coffee has made on our commitment to making our people, products and the planet better. The 2024 Annual Impact Review includes progress throughout the year in responsible business practices, as well as advances in premium and real ingredient sourcing and care for both team members and the communities in which Caribou does business.
“2024 was a busy year for Caribou Coffee,” said Scott Kennedy, CEO, Caribou Coffee. “We made significant strides as a company in our commitment to smart growth and care for the communities in which we do business. And, as ever, we continued to find ways to spark chain reactions of good. That is always our purpose.”
Our coffee, our culture, our communities
The Annual Impact Review touches on the latest milestones in Caribou’s more than three decades of responsible business. In food, key accomplishments included completing the conversion to sourcing only cage-free eggs in the U.S., as well as the use of only NAIHM chicken (no antibiotics in human medicine) as the company continues a focus on premium ingredients and responsible sourcing. Intentional investments in a new 3PL logistics partner and warehousing systems help further reduce the impact of operations, and the use of low-energy lighting, low-flow water and other fixtures in coffeehouses means reduction in energy and resource usage.
As Caribou grows in new regions across the United States, including the southeast, the company has placed an emphasis on the re-use and reimagining of former QSR and other commercial buildings to intentionally reduce community disruption during construction of new locations. The ongoing adoption of lower impact building materials including, where possible, siding, roofing and countertops, and the prefabrication of some design elements at factory level further enhance Caribou’s ability to design, build and grow balancing efficiency, cost and community care.
Other major steps included finalizing the sale of Caribou’s roastery and licensing for CPG retail products to JDE Peet’s, a move which enables the company to focus on coffeehouse operational excellence, and enhancements to team member support and resources. Additionally, Caribou conducted an extensive survey of team members across the organization, increasing participation and engagement and soliciting feedback to shape future policies and practices. And a first Business Engagement Partner was hired to develop team member support throughout Caribou’s Minnesota-based headquarters and the network of coffeehouses across the country.
Looking ahead
“Together, we accomplished a lot in 2024. We go into the future focused on running our business with integrity to brew a better, bold community that cares for the environment, our people and our guests,” added Scott.
There have been numerous impact advances throughout 2025 to look for in the next report, including the expansion of plant-based and non-dairy menu options as well as working with international franchisees to create global product standards and further expand the use of cage-free eggs. The company will also transition to the Enveritas verification for green coffee sourcing. To support team members, Caribou is rolling out more companywide team member engagement initiatives that build on past years’ comprehensive survey findings, and in coffeehouses, there will be a continued transition to signage-only models in bakery to reduce food waste.
Take the time to read the 2024 Annual Impact Review.