Caribou Coffee® Announces Commitment to Following Global Animal Partnership (GAP) Standards for its Broiler Chickens

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In a continued effort to elevate the products we bring to consumers, Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (Caribou Coffee) announced today that it is making a commitment to work with our suppliers, licensees, and industry partners to improve the welfare of broiler chickens that we source and ensure that by 2024 we buy only chicken that is produced in alignment with the following standards set by the Global Animal Partnership (GAP), an international farmed animal welfare certification program:

• Source only chicken breeds approved by GAP as having higher welfare outcomes
• Source only chickens that are given improved space to reduce stocking density per GAP standards
• Offer improved living environment to include lighting, litter, and enrichment per GAP standards
• Process all chickens more humanely through a multi-step, controlled-atmosphere processing system
• Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via a third-party audit

While less than three percent of Caribou's revenue comes from chicken, these changes will bring a better quality of life to chickens as well as bring our consumers a better quality of product to enjoy. This commitment is the next step in our journey to elevate our products through quality ingredients. Our commitments to clean label drinks with no artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives and or artificial sweeteners showcase some of the changes we have made to offer elevated beverages to our consumers. Caribou Coffee set its Clean Label standard by creating an "Off-Limit list" of 70+ ingredients which will not be added to its beverages. Ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, aspartame and many others will not be added into any Caribou Coffee beverage. Guests can see the entire "Off-Limit List" at CaribouCleanDrink.com.

About Caribou Coffee
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse in the United States with more than 263* company-owned stores and 59* Coffee & Bagels stores in partnership with Einstein Bros. Bagels, 142* domestic license locations in 19* states and 268* international franchise stores in 11* countries. Caribou Coffee provides high quality, handcrafted beverages and food options to fuel life's adventures, both big and small. Known for a commitment to sustainability, the Company was the first major U.S. coffeehouse to serve 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified™ coffees and espresso. Caribou Coffee products can also be found in grocery stores, mass retailers, club stores, foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and online. To learn more about Caribou Coffee, visit CaribouCleanDrink.com

SOURCE Caribou Coffee