Caribou Coffee Names Scott Kennedy as Chief Executive Officer
September 03 - 2025
Coffee Geography Magazine
In a significant leadership move, Caribou Coffee has officially named Scott Kennedy as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This appointment concludes Kennedy's interim tenure, a role he had held since March of this year, and solidifies his position at the helm of the global coffeehouse chain.
Kennedy’s journey to the CEO office was paved through his prior role as the company’s Chief Financial Officer, a position that provided him with deep insight into the inner workings and financial strategy of the beloved brand. His extensive background in executive leadership, however, stretches far beyond Caribou. Before joining the company, Kennedy dedicated fourteen years to Target Corporation, where he most recently served as the President of Financial & Retail Services for six years. This high-level retail experience was preceded by an impressive sixteen-year tenure at the global professional services firm KPMG, where he rose to the level of Partner. A graduate of the University of Canberra, Kennedy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting.
The announcement was met with strong endorsement from José Cil, Chairman of the Board of Caribou Coffee. Cil expressed his confidence in Kennedy’s vision, stating, “I am delighted to announce Scott's appointment as President and CEO of Caribou Coffee. I am confident Scott's focus on building a winning team and culture along with delivering exceptional guest experiences in our Caribou coffeehouses everyday will help make this great brand a great business.” This sentiment underscores the board’s belief that Kennedy is the right leader to translate the brand's strong emotional connection with customers into sustained commercial success.
Caribou Coffee, which operates and franchises more than 800 coffeehouses across 11 countries, is a key component of the larger Panera Brands family, which also includes Panera Bread and Einstein Bros. Bagels. This corporate structure provides a foundation of shared resources and expertise while allowing each brand to maintain its unique identity.
In response to his appointment, Kennedy conveyed both honor and excitement for the future. “I'm honored to take on the role of President and CEO at Caribou Coffee,” he said. He acknowledged the company's existing strengths, calling it “a beloved brand with a strong foundation of exceptional products and a welcoming coffeehouse experience.” Looking forward, his vision is one of ambitious growth. Kennedy identified a “tremendous opportunity to accelerate our growth, expand our reach, and continue elevating what makes Caribou unique.” He committed to partnering with the company’s team to seize these opportunities and deliver greater value to guests and stakeholders alike, signaling a new chapter of focused expansion and innovation for the global coffee chain.