Caribou Coffee has named Scott Kennedy as its new President and CEO. This appointment is effective immediately as of early September 2025. Kennedy had previously served as Caribou’s Chief Financial Officer and Interim CEO since March 2025. His promotion follows the departure of former CEO John Butcher, who stepped down earlier this year. The announcement came from José Cil, the Chairman of Caribou Coffee‘s Board.
Kennedy brings a rich background in leadership qualities to his new role. Before joining Caribou Coffee, he spent 14 years in diverse executive positions at Target Corporation, where he focused on financial and retail services. His extensive experience in financial roles will be useful in maneuvering the ever-changing coffee trends in the market. As a former partner at KPMG, he has a solid understanding of business operations as well.
Kennedy’s diverse executive background and extensive financial expertise position him to navigate evolving coffee market trends effectively.
Under Kennedy’s leadership, Caribou Coffee aims to build a winning team culture. He plans to improve the customer experience at their coffeehouses, focusing on creating “day-making experiences.” This vision aligns with the current coffee trends that emphasize company culture and customer engagement. As retail coffee markets become more competitive, fostering exceptional guest experiences is critical in retaining customers and attracting new ones.
Kennedy’s strategy includes accelerating the growth of Caribou Coffee and expanding its geographic footprint. His leadership style suggests he will work closely with talented teams to deliver greater value to both guests and stakeholders. He hopes to strengthen the coffeehouse experience while preserving the brand’s reputation.
The company aims to grow further, with recent expansions into Texas and other U.S. states, like Florida and North Carolina. As Scott Kennedy takes the helm, industry watchers are keen to see how his impressive background and focus on leadership qualities will impact Caribou Coffee’s future. The coffee retailer’s commitment to adapting to evolving coffee trends positions it well within the specialty coffee market.
