Every day deserves a cheers at Caribou Coffee

With a purpose of creating day-making experiences that spark a chain reaction of good in our coffeehouses, there is no shortage of recognition to go around and we don’t save it for special occasions. Recognition demands attention, effort and a spirit of fun celebration every day. 

Great days start with connection

The best coffeehouses and guest experiences are built by great teams. Teammates who work seamlessly and efficiently value what each person brings to the workplace. Team members who feel part of a cohesive, collaborative team are more likely to feel engaged at work, and in part, empowered to spark a chain reaction of good. It’s why we launched our freshly-minted Caribou Cheers program – our peer-to-peer recognition platform, which has quickly become a space to celebrate the moments that matter in how we work together. Whether it’s a shoutout for a thoughtful gesture or a moment of leadership, each cheer is a reminder that progress isn’t just measured in major initiatives, but in the daily ways we support and lift up each other.

The idea for Caribou Cheers was inspired by feedback from an employee survey last year, which is also part of our ongoing effort to hear and recognize our teammates. It’s a focus that Caribou’s Engagement Business Partner, Jenna L. knows well. “The best ideas come directly from our team members,” Jenna shared. “When we take time to ask, truly listen and act on what we hear, we can create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.”

Launched in June, Caribou Cares has already seen more than 2,000 teammates recognized and thanked by their coworkers with recipients getting a special, personalized note. Team members are being recognized for all kinds of contributions: from lending a hand during a busy rush hour shift to simply bringing positivity to their job or going above and beyond to embody Caribou’s core values.

Ways to say “cheers” to the people in your life

Whatever your job or role, whether a manager or a peer, your colleagues and even friends or family will always love a thank you or a nod of recognition. Here are some ways to build a collaborative, supportive environment where you work and live:

• Begin each day with a quick check-in with those around you. How can you help? What can be worked on together?
• Don’t just celebrate the milestones from time to time – make sure each day and each week there’s a positive, helpful lesson or tip that everyone can learn from.
• Communication isn’t just an app message, a break room note or a text. Find opportunities to help, and encourage the people in your life to get together, connect and build a real team dynamic.

Don’t wait for a special day to recognize great work, an amazing coworker or fun ideas. And if you want to share a little Caribou Cheers with us for a great experience or an exceptional team member – let us know. You can leave a review, fill out a short survey or pass a kind word along to guest services.