Caribou Coffee Signs Multi-Unit Franchise Agreement to Open Locations Across Greater Columbus Area

Mike Mariola Restaurants and Crawford Hoying to Re-Fuel Ohio Markets with Locations Opening by End of Year

Caribou Coffee®, a national premium coffeehouse and Panera Brands portfolio concept, announced the signing of its first multi-unit development agreement to franchise throughout the greater Columbus, Ohio area. This development marks Caribou Coffee’s return to Ohio for the first time in nine years. Operator Mike Mariola Restaurants (MMR) and Dublin-based real estate developer Crawford Hoying have partnered with Caribou Coffee on the brand's first development deal since Caribou launched its domestic franchising program in October 2021.

Since its inception in 1992, Caribou Coffee has emerged as a leader in the coffeehouse segment, becoming known for innovative handcrafted products and an award-winning customer experience and growing to over 721 locations systemwide, including 321 company-owned stores primarily across the Midwest as of December 28, 2021. Caribou Coffee’s domestic franchise launch marks the first time interested candidates in the United States have an opportunity to own and operate coffeehouses, which were previously only available internationally through non-traditional development or licensing.

“We are thrilled to bring Caribou Coffee back to Ohio,” said John Butcher, president and CEO of Caribou Coffee. “With a shared vision and commitment to Caribou Coffee’s core values, Mike Mariola Restaurants is the perfect partner to spearhead our brand in the Columbus area. We have no doubt the team’s operational expertise and dedication to the brand will be apparent at all of their Caribou locations and we look forward to supporting their success.”

MMR was founded in Wooster, Ohio by Mike Mariola in 2002. A Wooster native, Mariola got his culinary start in Northeast Ohio before traveling the world learning from some of the best chefs in the business. Currently, MMR operates the well-known Ohio restaurant, The Rail, along with its flagship restaurant concept, The City Square Steakhouse, which has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Steakhouses in America. Additionally, MMR has created its newest concept, Mariola Italian, which is under development.

“I was raised in Ohio as a big fan of Caribou Coffee, so when I heard the news that the brand was now franchising, I jumped at the opportunity to partner with one of the most notable coffee concepts on the market,” said Mike Mariola, president of Mike Mariola Restaurants. “With a successful background in hospitality, I am relentless about delivering memorable experiences by taking care of my team and serving customers with warmth and enthusiasm, which you will see reflected at our future locations.”

Understanding how important the real estate selection is and how the Caribou Coffee brand has been able to contribute to communities where it operates, Mike created a partnership that includes Crawford Hoying and the deep expertise of its real estate specialist, Jamie Moore, to help bring this franchise opportunity to life.

MMR and Crawford Hoying are actively seeking real estate sites to bring Caribou Coffee to cities throughout Ohio including Wooster, Marysville, Delaware and Greater Columbus. For more information on site criteria and real estate opportunities, please contact Jamie Moore at jmoore@crawfordhoying.com or visit www.mikemariolarestaurants.com/caribou-coffee.

For more information on Caribou Coffee’s franchise opportunities and financial requirements for qualified candidates, please visit cariboucoffee.com/franchising.

About Caribou Coffee ®

Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee provides high-quality handcrafted beverages and food options to fuel life’s adventures, both big and small, with 321 company owned locations nationwide, 139 domestic license locations in 22 states, and 261 franchise stores in 9 countries as of December 28, 2021. Known for a commitment to sustainability, Caribou was one of the first major U.S. coffeehouses to serve 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffees and espresso. Additionally, in 2019, the brand debuted its Caribou Cabin restaurant prototype, which features a significantly smaller footprint and drive-thru focused model and has expanded throughout the Midwest. Caribou Coffee products are also available in all 50 states across grocery stores, mass retailers, club stores, foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and online.

Caribou Coffee is part of a portfolio of complementary brands bound by common values, Panera Brands, comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Bagel Brands®. Panera Brands companies are independently-operated and united in their mission to be force multipliers for good for their guests, communities, the planet and the shareholders they serve.

To learn more about Caribou Coffee, visit CaribouCoffee.com and follow the coffeehouse on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Sign up for Caribou Coffee’s loyalty program, Caribou Perks, at caribouperks.com. To learn more about Caribou Coffee’s franchise opportunity, visit cariboucoffee.com/franchising.

About Mike Mariola Restaurants

Mike Mariola Restaurants (MMR) is an Ohio-based restaurant group founded in Wooster, Ohio. MMR is dedicated to providing memorable dining experiences for every occasion with a focus on local sourcing. Their flagship restaurant, The City Square Steakhouse, was the first to open in Wooster, OH. MMR now operates multiple restaurants under 2 different concepts and its latest venture, Mariola Italian, is currently in development. MMR is committed to enriching the communities they serve by creating connection, happiness, and opportunity for team members and guests alike. Born and raised in Wooster, Mike Mariola got his culinary start in Northeast Ohio before traveling the world learning from some of the best chefs in the business. After returning to his hometown to start a family, he founded MMR seeking to bring the culinary excellence he had seen in other states and countries back to Ohio, with an unwavering commitment to support his neighbors in the farming community.

For more information, visit www.MikeMariolaRestaurants.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About Crawford Hoying

Crawford Hoying is a full-service provider for each aspect of real estate development, management, construction and sales in today’s dynamic real estate market. At Crawford Hoying, the goal is to add value to each project while maintaining the highest level of integrity. The company’s diverse portfolio includes for-rent and for-sale residential, commercial, hotel, industrial, mixed-use, senior housing and student housing. Crawford Hoying is invested heavily in Ohio, with more than $2 billion in completed and active developments including the transformational Bridge Park in Dublin and the vibrant Water Street District in downtown Dayton. To learn more about Crawford Hoying, visit www.crawfordhoying.com.