Great start - 5 years ago. Last 18 months was a nightmare - Store Manager Caribou Coffee Employee Review

2.0
Jul 7, 2014
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Plenty of opportunity to learn ins and outs of business if you are willing to take opportunities and stand up for yourself (you have to ask/push - certainly won't be handed to you). Learned HR, recruiting, interviewing, training, development planning, finance, operations management, B2B marketing, and customer service. You can personally build a great team and have great peers ... it just takes work.

Cons

Very poor compensation for level of responsibility and workload. Poor time off policies (cafes are open 365 days a year). Poor communication from upper level management to the field - which is where the actual money is made. Dealing with an entitled public in an urban was soul crushing. Long history of poor facilities management - constant pressure to keep sales flowing while dealing with broken frigs, doors, bathrooms. Culture and leadership were just lip service.

Explore other reviews about Caribou Coffee

5.0
Mar 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Easy to learn menu and recipes

Cons

Bad tips and not great pay

2.0
Jun 26, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Usually nice coworkers, good regulars, tips can be really good if you’re working busy shifts

Cons

Over worked and under paid. General managers are hit or miss and if yours is bad, you’re screwed and they won’t be held accountable. Some coworkers are bullies with no repercussion. Unfair task delegation. Hard to get full time hours unless you’re upper management.

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