NATSO, the national trade association representing truckstops and travel plazas, today announced it has partnered with Caribou Coffee (NASDAQ:CBOU) to offer high-quality craft-roasted coffee to the selected NATSO-represented truckstops and travel plazas throughout the U.S.
“Our mission at NATSO is to advance the success of our truckstop and travel plaza members,” stated Lisa Mullings, President & CEO of NATSO. “By offering a premium product that appeals to the general driving public as well as the truck driving community, we believe this strategic alliance with Caribou Coffee advances that mission.”
The Twin Cities-based Caribou Coffee is the nation’s second-largest coffeehouse chain with over 400 company-owned coffeehouses and 129 franchised and licensed locations.
“The coffee consumer across the country has changed in character over the last several years,” stated Hank Suerth, Senior Vice President of Commercial Businesses at Caribou Coffee. “From restaurants to high-end cafes, the consumer prefers a specialty coffee. For truckstops and travel plazas looking to enhance existing programs, or change their branding message, the Caribou brand offers a total coffee solution and branding opportunity that may not exist with every travel center in the marketplace today.”
NATSO and Caribou Coffee will be holding information sessions during the NATSO annual meeting from Feb. 17-21. These focus groups will give truckstop and travel plaza owners and operators the opportunity to ask any questions and learn more about this new alliance.
About Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., founded in 1992 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the second-largest company-owned premium coffeehouse operator in the United States, based on the number of coffeehouses. As of January 14, 2011, Caribou Coffee had 408 company-owned coffeehouses and 132 franchised and licensed locations. Caribou Coffee offers its customers premium coffee and handcrafted espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, baked goods, handcrafted oatmeal, a variety of Daybreaker and mini breakfast sandwiches, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and other coffee lifestyle items. In addition, Caribou Coffee sells products to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou Coffee is working toward 100 percent Rainforest Alliance Certification for all of its coffees by the end of 2011, ensuring coffee is sourced using social, economic and environmentally sustainable practices. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee website at cariboucoffee.com.
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