MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Caribou Coffee is Making it Merry this holiday season with the launch of its Sweater Maker Facebook App, which allows consumers to dress their Facebook photos in festive holiday sweaters and share them through various social networks.

“This provides a great opportunity for our customers to have a lot of fun and interact with friends and family”

In addition to providing consumers with fun and sharable online content, the nation’s second-largest coffeehouse operator has turned this cherished holiday tradition into a source of true holiday spirit. For every sweater that’s virtually knitted on Caribou Coffee’s Sweater Maker Facebook App, a real one will be donated to someone in need.

“This provides a great opportunity for our customers to have a lot of fun and interact with friends and family,” said Alfredo Martel, senior vice president of marketing and product management. “At the same time this app works in a tangible way to literally provide the warmth of the season to people in our communities.”

This season, Caribou Coffee has pledged to donate a total of 10,000 men’s, women’s and children’s sweaters to the Salvation Army. Consumers take four easy steps to complete the app:

1. Pick a sweater: options include solo, couple, group or even pet templates
2. Choose a background: images can be placed in front of an array of holiday themes, including the option to enhance an image with animated décor and gifts
3. Upload a photo: take a webcam picture or upload an existing photo to the app
4. Choose how to share it: upload the image as your Facebook or Twitter profile pic, or save it to your desktop or blog

This new app is supplementary to Caribou Coffee’s larger, ongoing Do Good initiative, in which the coffee retailer commits to addressing various social issues, like environmental consciousness, and raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Caribou Coffee is also an annual donor, and now a corporate donation drop-off, for Toys for Tots.

In-Store This Season
Caribou Coffee has brought back holiday favorites this winter. The limited-time-only Spicy Chocolate Mocha, Fa La Latte and Ho Ho Mint Chocolate Mocha are Caribou’s signature holiday drinks, all of which can be customized with premium milk, dark or white chocolate. The company is also bringing back the highly popular soft gingerbread and its famous, 100% Rainforest Alliance Certified Reindeer Blend.

Caribou Coffee is a providing an array of great gift and stocking stuffer options, with items like holiday ornaments, mugs, tumblers, coffee and tea gift baskets, knit hats and more. All items can be purchased in-store or online at www.cariboucoffee.com.

We’re spreading the joy – and warmth – this holiday season. Won’t you join us?

Twittercue
@Caribou_Coffee launches holiday Facebook app linked to sweater giveaway http://on.fb.me/nOSESE

About Caribou Coffee
Founded in 1992, Caribou Coffee Company is one of the leading branded coffee companies in the United States, with a compelling multi-channel approach to their customers. Based on the number of coffeehouses, Caribou Coffee is the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States. As of July 3, 2011, the Company had 554 coffeehouses, including 147 franchised locations, in 20 states, the District of Columbia and nine international markets. The Company’s coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by guests who are provided an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. Caribou Coffee provides the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items with a unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. In addition, Caribou Coffee’s unique coffees are available within grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. Caribou Coffee is a proud recipient of the Rainforest Alliance Corporate Green Globe Award and is committed to operating practices that promote sustainability and environmental protection. For more information, visit www.cariboucoffee.com.