Caribou, Bruegger's to open integrated stores

Twin Cities consumers will soon have the option of ordering a fresh bagel and a warm latte from the same counter when Caribou Coffee and Bruegger's Bagels open fully integrated stores.

While about a dozen Caribou and Bruegger's locations stand side by side around the Twin Cities, as many as 10 shared stores will start opening at the end of the year, according to the Business Journal.

"Instead of having two counters and two teams, it's one great team with one counter, one service model, one experience for the two same great products," Caribou CEO Mike Tattersfield said.

The Caribou stores with neighboring Bruegger's perform "extremely well," Tattersfield says. He hopes the integrated stores will attract even more customers.

Brooklyn Center-based Caribou announced last week that it's closing 80 under-performing shops nationwide and another 88 locations will be converted to Peet's Coffee and Tea.

Bruegger's is headquartered in Burlington, Vt.