Caribou Coffee to launch its first drive-thru franchise location in Pinellas County
By Henry Queen
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jul 11, 2024

Caribou Coffee Co., a Midwestern staple gaining ground in Florida, will soon open a drive-thru location in Palm Harbor.

Michelle Mathis announced on Thursday plans to open the franchise location in a 2,000-square-foot storefront at 32130 U.S Highway 19 in late July. Cosmic Donuts was the building's previous tenant.

John Skicewicz and Craig Scafidi from Coldwell Banker Commercial represented Mathis in the lease transaction.

"This marks an exciting milestone for Caribou Coffee as we expand our footprint with the first drive-thru location in Pinellas County," Mathis said in a statement. "We look forward to providing a convenient and welcoming space where guests can enjoy exceptional coffee and connect with friends."

An opening date wasn't released.

Mathis is the CEO of Wake Up 727 LLC, which signed a multi-unit development agreement to open Caribou Coffee locations throughout Pinellas County in 2022. She also owns several Subway franchises throughout northern Minnesota with her husband, Bill.

The company's first Caribou Coffee opened in 2023 in the former Banyan Cafe space on Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. Additional locations are planned for Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete Beach and Gulf to Bay Boulevard in Clearwater.

Caribou's requires franchisees to commit to at least 10 locations while also having $3 million in liquid assets and food and beverage experience.

Caribou Coffee is already sold in Einstein Bros. Bagels shops across Florida. The Minneapolis-based chain announced its domestic franchising program in October 2021, allowing franchisees to own and operate traditional, standalone coffeehouses for the first time.

Kevin Ricci, owner of Covelli Family Limited Partnership, plans to expand the brand further in Florida with 60 locations in cities such as Tampa, Naples and Gainesville.