Creating together: How art can spark day-making experiences at Caribou Coffee

Conner M., a General Manager at Caribou Coffee who enjoys expressing his artistic side with name tags and chalkboard art, shared how it sparks conversations and connections with guests. “It built up a personal element to those everyday interactions, especially [name tags] being centered around my name, so guests got to know me as a person, which would then motivate me to get to know them more.” Conner also explained how the name tags allow him to be his authentic self, “in addition to the artsy side of it, having a chance to include things like my pronouns is a small but impactful way to cultivate a safe and welcoming environment within my stores.” While appreciating a creative name tag might be a small portion of a guest’s day, our goal always remains the same: Together, we create day-making experiences that spark chain reactions of good.

Team members at a store might even take the creativity one step further and sport name tags with a matching theme, fostering an added sense of teamwork and connection. For example, Shift Leader, Samantha S. created the Disney-theme name tags seen above for her whole team. While we know the name tags can impact the guest experience, they can strengthen the team dynamic as well. From there, team members can share their creations with their peers, allowing others to gather inspiration of their own. Creating and sharing artwork can help build a stronger sense of connection and foster a more vibrant, collaborative team culture.

Just like personalized name tags, chalkboards in our stores are another way for team members to showcase their creativity and connect with guests. The boards might highlight seasonal themes, new product launches or other key updates from that store. Occasionally, you will find a fun question on the board that invites guests to share their input and create a more connected community. So, whether it’s a vibrant illustration of a new summer drink or a question about your favorite animal, these chalkboards serve as visual storytelling tools that reflect the heart of our stores.