Continued innovation in Caribou Energy drinks platform drives new growth
Fueled by guest demand for caffeinated, non-coffee offerings brand expands line into new flavors
MINNEAPOLIS, AUG. 19, 2025 – Caribou Coffee®, the premium coffeehouse operator known for industry-leading innovation and signature, handcrafted beverages announces growth in its refreshed Energy drinks platform with the fast-growing consumer segment looking for caffeinated, non-coffee offerings. Caribou’s Energy drinks platform, introduced last summer, now represents a rising and significant percentage of the company’s non-coffee segment product sales. The expansion of the lineup stays true to Caribou’s menu philosophy but comes from carefully listening to guest feedback and is designed to meet demand.
“We’re known for product innovation, real ingredients and exciting flavor across our coffee products,” said Carrie Sazama, Director, Product Innovation, Caribou Coffee. “But over the past 12 months we’ve been hard at work bringing our guests the same kind of flavor-forward innovation in our non-coffee segment. That’s meant multiple Energy drink flavor launches throughout the seasons that really built momentum, expectation and a growing fan following from guests.”
The Caribou Energy drinks platform officially launched in May of 2024 to meet growing demand for energy drinks, which, across the industry, is the third fastest growing non-alcoholic beverage category behind specialty teas and lemonades. The platform arrived in market with four signature flavors: Blue Raspberry, Peach Mango, Pomegranate Acai and Strawberry Pineapple, each of which is mixed with sparkling water and a choice of energy blend in original or lemonade. To build on guest demand for seasonal flavors in Caribou locations across the country and to drive excitement around the Energy drinks line up, limited time flavors were also added in fall (Honeycrisp apple with real Honeycrisp flavors) and Cranberry just in time for the holidays. The platform then saw the addition of flavors that targeted growing consumer trends at the start of the year, Lavender Energy and Berry-C Energy, plus two sugar-free options, Sugar-Free Salted Watermelon Energy and Sugar-Free Passionfruit Yuzu Energy, which remain on the menu.
“The Caribou Energy drinks platform expansion is more than just a few extra flavors each season,” added Carrie. “We track shifts in seasonal consumer flavor preferences year-round, and look at rising trends sometimes as much as 18 months out. Data shows energy drinks at coffee shops as a hot trend to watch nationwide in 2025, but we were already ahead of that with last year’s launch. We spend time researching, tweaking and testing for flavor combinations, mouth feel, aftertaste and a wide variety of other factors. But it’s a labor of love because who doesn’t love to work on this kind of market-defining opportunity? It’s a dream.”
The latest expansion picks up on the surging consumer trend for nostalgic, classic summer flavors but makes them available as limited-time offerings to generate consumer excitement and drive even greater guest trial. Added, get-them-before-they’re-gone, flavors include Rainbow Sherbet Energy, Cotton Candy Energy and Ice Pop Energy. The much-anticipated fall launch includes a return of Honeycrisp Apple Energy, coming to Caribou Coffee on Aug. 21, 2025.
Limited-time Energy drinks are available at participating Caribou locations while supplies last. For more information on the Energy drinks platform or any new product offering visit www.cariboucoffee.com.
About Caribou Coffee
Caribou Coffee serves high-quality handcrafted beverages and crave-worthy food in more than 800 coffeehouses worldwide. Since opening our first location in 1992, we’ve been committed to building personal connections in every experience. This desire drives our dedication to supporting our communities and crafting menu items with premium ingredients like specialty-grade coffee and real chocolate chips. Focused on smart growth, we operate and franchise coffeehouses across 11 countries, with the purpose of creating day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of good.
Caribou Coffee is part of Panera Brands, alongside Panera Bread® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. To learn more, visit cariboucoffee.com, follow Caribou Coffee on social media, or download the Caribou Coffee app to join Caribou Perks and start earning rewards.