CBOU Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (MM)

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. (Nasdaq:CBOU), the second largest U.S.-based company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator based on the number of coffeehouses, today reported financial results for first quarter 2009 (thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2009).

HIGHLIGHTS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2009 INCLUDE:

• Net Income of $0.3 million or $0.02 per share and EBITDA of $4.6 million for the quarter.
• Commercial sales increased 61% while franchise sales increased 14% compared to first quarter 2008.

Michael Tattersfield, the Company�s President and CEO commented, "I am pleased with the progress we continue to make in improving profitability. We have communicated that the turnaround will be a multi-year effort, and although we are operating in a challenging economic environment, we are continuing to see progress. We are accomplishing this by focusing on key strategic initiatives; improving our guest experience, strengthening our brands and focusing on the expansion of our franchise and commercial channels.� Mr. Tattersfield added, �Non-coffeehouse sales continue to exhibit strong growth and have helped to offset the past emphasis on company-owned coffeehouse expansion, reinforcing our stated goal of evolving to a branded coffee company.�

FIRST QUARTER 2009 RESULTS

Total net sales were $60.4 million for the quarter ended March 29, 2009, a decrease of $1.4 million or 2.2% from $61.8 million for the quarter ended March 30, 2008. This decrease is attributable to 204 fewer operating coffeehouse weeks due to coffeehouse closures in 2008, a 5.0% decrease in comparable coffeehouse sales in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, partially offset by commercial and franchise segment sales growth.

Coffeehouse sales were $52.9 million in the first quarter of 2009, a decrease of 6.6% from the same period in the prior year. The decrease primarily reflects the 5.0% decline in comparable coffeehouse sales and fewer coffeehouse operating weeks. No new company-owned coffeehouses opened during the quarter. Commercial sales were $5.7 million in the first quarter of 2009, an increase of 60.6% over the first quarter of 2008. The increase was due to higher sales from existing and new commercial customers, as the company opened 711 new doors. Franchise sales were $1.8 million in the first quarter of 2009, an increase of 14.2% over the first quarter of 2008. The increase was due to higher sales from franchise fees, royalties and product sales from 38 franchise coffeehouses opened during the last 12 months, including 6 coffeehouse openings during the first quarter of 2009.

Cost of sales and related occupancy costs in the first quarter of 2009 was $26.3 million and remained relatively flat for the quarter compared to the same period of the prior year.

Operating expenses in the first quarter of 2009 were $23.3 million compared to $25.4 million in the same period of the prior year. This decrease was the result of improved operating performance within the retail segment as well as having fewer coffeehouse operating weeks. As a percentage of revenue, operating costs were 38.6%, down from 41.1% in the same period of the prior year.

General and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 11.3%, to $6.6 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2009, from $7.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2008. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was the result of cost reduction actions taken during fiscal 2008 and the on-going focus on overall cost management.

Store closing expense and disposal of assets decreased $2.4 million to $0.1 million during first quarter 2009, from $2.5 million during first quarter 2008. The decrease in closing expense and disposal of assets is primarily attributable to asset write-off and lease termination costs associated with the closing of 16 underperforming company-owned coffeehouses during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2008. There were no company �owned stores closed in the first quarter of 2009.

EBITDA was $4.6 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2009, compared to EBITDA of $0.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 30, 2008. The year over year EBITDA increase was primarily due to improved performance within our retail coffeehouses, continued growth in the commercial and franchise segments, operating cost reductions and lower retail coffeehouse closing expenses. (EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. See EBITDA reconciliation at the end of this release).

Depreciation and amortization decreased $2.2 million, or 36.8%, to $3.7 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2009, from $5.9 million during the same period in the prior year. The decrease was due to $1.5 million in accelerated deprecation associated with company-owned coffeehouses during the first quarter 2008 and lower depreciable assets during 2009 from impairments taken in the past year.

The Company�s net income for the first quarter of 2009 was $0.3 million or $0.02 per share compared to a net loss of $6.4 million or ($0.33) per share for the same period in 2008.

BALANCE SHEET AND CASH FLOW

The company ended the quarter with $10.8 million in cash and no long-term debt. Capital expenditures in the quarter amounted to $0.2 million.

CONFERENCE CALL

Caribou Coffee will host a conference call on May 7, 2009, at 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss these results. Hosting the call will be Michael Tattersfield, President and CEO, and Timothy Hennessy, CFO. The call will be webcast and can be accessed from the Company's website at www.cariboucoffee.com. The webcast link is in the Investor Relations section. The dial in number is 1-888-724-9518 or 1-913-312-0374 for international calls. Confirmation number is 2403265. If you are unable to join the call, a replay will be available beginning at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 7, 2009 through 11:59 p.m. on May 14, 2009 and can be accessed by dialing 1-888-203-1112 or international callers 1-719-457-0820 and enter pin number 2403265. In addition, the webcast will be archived on the Company�s website.

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., founded in 1992 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the second largest company-owned gourmet coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses. As of March 29, 2009, Caribou Coffee had 515 coffeehouses, including 101 franchised locations. Caribou Coffee offers its customers high-quality gourmet coffee and espresso-based beverages, as well as specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and related products. In addition, Caribou Coffee sells products to club stores, grocery stores, mass merchandisers, office coffee providers, airlines, hotels, sports and entertainment venues, college campuses and online customers. Caribou Coffee focuses on creating a unique experience for customers through a combination of high-quality products, a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment and a unique style of customer service. For more information, visit the Caribou Coffee web site at www.cariboucoffee.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of Caribou Coffee are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's current expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: fluctuations in quarterly and annual results, incurrence of net losses, adverse effects of management focusing on implementation of a growth strategy, failure to develop and maintain the Caribou Coffee brand and other factors disclosed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES

(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

� Thirteen Weeks Ended

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March 29,

2009

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March 30,

2008

(In thousands, except for per share

amounts)

(Unaudited) Coffeehouse sales $ 52,864 $ 56,620 Commercial and franchise sales � 7,516 � � 5,137 � Total net sales 60,380 61,757 Cost of sales and related occupancy costs 26,272 26,213 Operating expenses 23,322 25,395 Opening expenses 10 85 Depreciation and amortization 3,741 5,921 General and administrative expenses 6,606 7,450 Closing expense and disposal of assets � 53 � � 2,546 � Operating income (loss) 376 (5,853 ) Other income (expense): Interest income - 18 Interest expense � (58 ) � (512 ) Income (loss) before provision for income taxes 318 (6,347 ) (Benefit) provision for income taxes � (101 ) � 6 � Net Income (loss) 419 (6,353 ) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest � 73 � � 53 � Net Income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. $ 346 � $ (6,406 ) Basic net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share $ 0.02 � $ (0.33 ) Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share $ 0.02 � $ (0.33 ) Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding � 19,371 � � 19,371 � Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding � 19,526 � � 19,371 � � �

CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES

(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

� � March 29,

2009

December 28,

2008

(In thousands, except for per share

amounts)

(Unaudited) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,751 $ 11,060 Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $76 and $72 at March 29, 2009 and December 28, 2008, respectively) 4,330 5,311 Other receivables 1,399 916 Income tax receivable 41 60 Inventories 9,832 10,218 Prepaid expenses and other current assets � 870 � � 881 � Total current assets 27,223 28,446 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization 56,203 60,312 Notes receivable 12 16 Restricted cash 327 327 Other assets � 426 � � 471 � Total assets $ 84,191 � $ 89,572 � LIABILITIES AND EQUITY � Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 8,604 $ 8,229 Accrued compensation 4,291 6,241 Accrued expenses 6,885 8,317 Deferred revenue � 6,889 � � 9,473 � Total current liabilities 26,669 32,260 � Asset retirement liability 1,056 1,035 Deferred rent liability 9,104 9,245 Deferred revenue 2,408 2,538 Income tax liability � 367 � � 486 � Total long term liabilities 12,935 13,304 Equity: Preferred stock, par value $.01, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding � � Common stock, par value $.01, 200,000 shares authorized; 19,371 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2009 and December 28, 2008 194 194 Additional paid-in capital 125402 125,222 Accumulated deficit � (81,133 ) � (81,479 ) Total Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. shareholders� equity 44,463 43,937 Noncontrolling interest � 124 � � 71 � Total equity � 44,587 � � 44,008 � Total liabilities and equity $ 84,191 � $ 89,572 � � �

Coffeehouse Openings and Closings

� Thirteen Weeks Ended March 29, 2009 � March 30, 2008 Operating Data: Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse net sales(1) (5.0 )% (2.3 )% COFFEEHOUSE DATA Company-Owned: Coffeehouses open at beginning of period 414 432 Coffeehouses opened during the period 0 5 Coffeehouses closed during the period 0 � 16 � Total Company-Owned Open at Period End 414 421 Franchised: Coffeehouses open at beginning of period 97 52 Coffeehouses opened during the period 6 11 Coffeehouses closed during the period 2 � � � Total Franchised Open at Period End 101 � 63 � Total coffeehouses open at end of period 515 � 484 � �

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(1) �

Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse net sales compares the net sales of coffeehouses during a fiscal period to the net sales from the same coffeehouses for the equivalent period in the prior year. A coffeehouse is included in this calculation beginning in its thirteenth full fiscal month of operations. A closed coffeehouse is included in the calculation for each full month that the coffeehouse was open in both fiscal periods. Franchised coffeehouses are not included in the comparable coffeehouse net sales calculations.

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EBITDA RECONCILIATION

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The following is a reconciliation of the Company�s net income (loss) to EBITDA.

� Thirteen Weeks Ended March 29, 2009 � March 30, 2008 (Thousands) Net Income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. $ 346 $ (6,406 ) Interest expense 58 512 Interest income (18 ) Depreciation and amortization(1) 4,294 6,421 (Benefit) provision for income taxes � (101 ) � 6 � EBITDA $ 4,597 � $ 515 � � (1) Includes depreciation and amortization associated with the headquarters and roasting facility that are categorized as general and administrative expenses and cost of sales and related occupancy costs on the statement of operations. �

EBITDA is equal to net income (loss) excluding: (a) interest expense; (b) interest income; (c) depreciation and amortization; and (d) income taxes.

Management believes EBITDA is useful to investors in evaluating the Company�s operating performance for the following reason:

• Coffeehouse leases are generally short-term (5-10 years) and Caribou must depreciate all of the cost associated with those leases on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term excluding renewal options (unless such renewal periods are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease). The Company opened a net 212 company-operated coffeehouses from the beginning of fiscal 2003 through the end of the first thirteen weeks of fiscal 2009. As a result, management believes depreciation expense is disproportionately large when compared to the sales from a significant percentage of the coffeehouses that are in their initial years of operations. Also, many of the assets being depreciated have actual useful lives that exceed the initial lease term excluding renewal options. Consequently, management believes that adjusting for depreciation and amortization is useful for evaluating the operating performance of the coffeehouses.

Management uses EBITDA:

• As a measurement of operating performance because it assists management in comparing its operating performance on a consistent basis as it removes the impact of items not directly resulting from coffeehouse operations;
• For planning purposes, including the preparation of our internal annual operating budget;
• To establish targets for certain management compensation matters; and
• To evaluate the Company�s capacity to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand the business.

EBITDA as calculated by Caribou Coffee is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, EBITDA: (a) does not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined by GAAP; (b) is not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund cash flow needs; and (c) should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or Caribou Coffee�s other financial information as determined under GAAP.