News Summary
Caribou Coffee is set to expand in Augusta, South Carolina, with the opening of two new drive-thru locations this fall. The first location will be a drive-thru-only coffee shop at 29 Edgefield Road in North Augusta, marking the brand’s entry into the South Carolina market. This expansion is part of a broader strategy to establish a stronger presence in the region and create local jobs while enhancing the community’s coffee culture amidst growing competition from other coffee establishments.
Augusta, South Carolina – Caribou Coffee has announced plans to open two new locations in the Augusta area this fall, expanding its presence and bringing its well-known coffee offerings to new customers in South Carolina. The specific sites for the new locations will be at 29 Edgefield Road in North Augusta and 3050 Washington Road in Augusta.
The North Augusta location, taking over a former Checkers restaurant at 1029 Edgefield Road, will be a 788-square-foot, drive-thru-only establishment. This marks a significant milestone for the brand, as it will be the first Caribou Coffee in South Carolina. The transformation of the closed Checkers into a Caribou Coffee is part of a growing trend for franchisees Andy and Drew Pye, who previously converted another Checkers into a Caribou Coffee at 1720 Walton Way in Augusta.
These additions to the Caribou Coffee family are part of a broader initiative as the chain aims to expand its footprint significantly. Currently, Caribou Coffee has hundreds of locations across the United States, initially founded in 1992 in suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul. While the majority of its locations are in Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota also boast a few dozen stores. The brand’s expansion into Georgia began in 1995 with its first location, and now, Caribou Coffee aspires to open up to eight new coffeehouses in the Atlanta area, further adding to its establishment in neighboring regions.
Strategic Expansion
The expansion strategy underlines Caribou Coffee’s commitment to positively impact local communities and create job opportunities. Matthew Walls, the Chief Development Officer of Caribou Coffee, stated that site selection is driven by a focus on community benefit and business opportunity. The company’s approach aims to foster growth while blending into the neighborhoods they serve, ensuring that their coffee shops become integral to community interactions.
Competitive Landscape
The new Caribou Coffee locations will enter a competitive market in Augusta, which already hosts several popular coffee establishments. Notably, a stretch of Walton Way between 15th and Eve streets includes four existing coffee shops: Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Trellis Coffee Bar. With these new openings, Caribou Coffee is expected to bring fresh offerings and competition to the area while catering to local coffee enthusiasts who appreciate specialty coffee and a friendly atmosphere.
A Local Commitment
By launching its drive-thru-only format, Caribou Coffee aims to accommodate the on-the-go lifestyles of many local residents who appreciate quick service without compromising on quality. As they prepare to open these new locations, the franchisee team is looking forward to embedding Caribou Coffee into the fabric of Augusta and North Augusta, ensuring that coffee lovers have access to their products while enjoying local employment opportunities created by the new shop openings.
In summary, Caribou Coffee’s entry into South Carolina marks a new chapter for the brand and offers an exciting prospect for local coffee consumers. As they prepare for a fall opening, anticipation grows among residents looking to try the distinctive flavors and unique offerings that Caribou Coffee brings to the coffee culture in Augusta.
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Additional Resources
- WRDW: Caribou Coffee to Open 2 Locations in Augusta Area
- Wikipedia: Caribou Coffee
- Augusta Chronicle: Old Checkers to Become New Caribou Coffee
- Google Search: Caribou Coffee Augusta
- Fast Casual: Caribou Coffee Opening Georgia Locations
- Google Scholar: Caribou Coffee Business Expansion
- Bisnow: Caribou Coffee Expanding in Georgia
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Coffee
- Tribune Ledger News: Caribou Coffee Opening Location in Woodstock
- Google News: Caribou Coffee
Author: STAFF HERE AUGUSTA WRITER
AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER The AUGUSTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAugusta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Augusta, Richmond County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Arts in the Heart Festival, Westobou Festival, and Masters Week. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Augusta Arts Council, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Textron Specialized Vehicles, Cardinal Health, and Nutrien. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
