Restaurant News Resource - Caribou Coffee Restaurant Industry News

Coffeehouse sales were $59.7 million in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 3.7% compared to $57.6 million in the first quarter of 2011. Growth was driven by a 2.5% increase in comparable coffeehouse sales, primarily due to increased traffic and changes in the beverage sales mix.

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (NASDAQ:CBOU), the second largest company-owned premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 (periods ended January 1, 2012) and confirmed fiscal year 2012 guidance.

Consolidated sales increased 16.1% - Comparable coffeehouse store sales increased 4.1% - Commercial and Franchise sales increased 67.9%

Caribou Coffee, the nation’s second-largest coffeehouse chain, is now providing their guests meal options for lunch with the launch of their new Grown-up Grilled Cheese sandwiches.

Updates 2011 Outlook and Raises Diluted EPS Range - Net sales growth of 11% - Diluted earnings per share on a pro forma basis are now expected to be between $0.39 and $0.41

Consolidated sales increased 7.8%

As a percentage of sales, general and administrative expenses increased slightly to 10.0% in the fourth quarter of 2010, compared to 9.7% in the fourth quarter of 2009, as the Company added some key positions in fiscal year 2010, primarily related to new store development, marketing and product management.

Consolidated sales increased 11.8% compared to the same period in 2009