Caribou Coffee: Brand Evolution Case Study
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Caribou Coffee: Brand Evolution Case Study

Caribou Coffee Rebranding

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Solution

Our insights indicated that consumers are willing to pay a little more for a premium cup of coffee, in part because they’re also buying an experience. To better communicate the soul of the brand and differentiate the Caribou experience from its more-corporate competitors, we relaunched the brand by evolving the founders’ original tagline, “Life is short. Stay awake for it.” This seize-the-day mentality permeated through every brand touchpoint. No longer was a Caribou cup simply a cup, but rather, it is a reminder that life’s worth staying awake for. Since the relaunch, shareholder value has increased, traffic has improved and comp sales increased for the first time in three years, while outperforming the QSR industry. A 500 percent jump in Facebook fans increased online engagement and the campaign has been spotlighted in everything from PerezHilton.com to Fast Company.

Challenge

Caribou Coffee is the world’s second-largest premium coffeehouse, but consecutive years of sales declines, driven by a recession that vilified the $4 mocha, left Caribou Coffee in the position of redefining its value and brand experience. Caribou needed to distinguish itself from competitors as disparate as Starbucks and McDonald’s.