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EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.c57090exv23w1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.c57090exv31w2.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.c57090exv31w1.htm
EX-32.2 - EX-32.2 - Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.c57090exv32w2.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.c57090exv32w1.htm
Table of Contents

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-K
 
     
þ
  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010.
or
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from          to          .
 
Commission File Number: 000-51535
CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Minnesota
  41-1731219
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3900 Lakebreeze Avenue North
Brooklyn Center, Minnesota
(Address of principal executive offices)
  55429
(Zip Code)
     
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(763) 592-2200
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
     
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
 
Common Stock, $0.01 Par value per share
  Nasdaq Global Market
 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes o     No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation of S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company þ
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $49,500,358 as of June 28, 2009, based upon the closing price on the Nasdaq Global Market reported for such date. This calculation does not reflect a determination that certain persons are affiliates of the Registrant for any other purpose.
 
As of March 18, 2010, there were 20,041,371 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be held on May 13, 2010 have been incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 


 

 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                 
        Pg
 
PART I.
  Item 1     Business     3  
  Item 1A     Risk Factors     5  
  Item 1B     Unresolved Staff Comments     8  
  Item 2     Properties     8  
  Item 3     Legal Proceedings     9  
  Item 4     Reserved     9  
  Item 4A     Executive Officers of the Registrant     10  
PART II.
  Item 5     Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     11  
  Item 6     Selected Financial Data     12  
  Item 7     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     16  
  Item 8     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     24  
  Item 9     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure     49  
  Item 9A(T)     Controls and Procedures     49  
  Item 9B     Other Information     49  
PART III.
  Item 10     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance     49  
  Item 11     Executive Compensation     50  
  Item 12     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters     50  
  Item 13     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence     50  
  Item 14     Principal Accountant Fees and Services     50  
PART IV.
  Item 15     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules     50  
Signatures     54  
 EX-23.1
 EX-31.1
 EX-31.2
 EX-32.1
 EX-32.2


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PART I
 
Item 1.   Business
 
Founded in 1992, we are evolving into a branded premium coffee company across three reportable operating segments: Retail Coffeehouses, Commercial and Franchise. Currently, we are the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses operated. As of January 3, 2010, we had 534 coffeehouses, including 121 franchised locations. Our coffeehouses are located in 20 states, the District of Columbia and international markets. Our coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by our guests as we strive to provide them with an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. We source the highest-quality coffees in the world and our skilled roast masters personally oversee the craft roasting of every single batch to bring out the best in every bean. We also provide the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items. We deliver our guest experience with our unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. We will continue our efforts to increase our comparable coffeehouse sales from building our brand awareness and loyalty through marketing efforts and introducing new products. We intend to continue strategically expanding our coffeehouse locations predominately in our existing markets. Our unique coffees are also available within our commercial segment via grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and e-commerce channels. In addition, we sell our blended coffees and license our brand to Keurig, Inc. for sale and use in its K-Cup single serve line of business. 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.
 
Segment Financial Information
 
We have three reportable operating segments: retail, commercial and franchise. Financial information about our segments is included in Note 18 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Retail Coffeehouses.  As of January 3, 2010, we operated 413 company-operated coffeehouses located in 16 states and the District of Columbia, including 211 coffeehouses in Minnesota and 54 coffeehouses in Illinois. We focus on offering our customers high-quality premium coffee and espresso-based beverages, and also offer specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and related products. We believe we provide a unique experience for our customers through the combination of our high-quality products, distinctive coffeehouse environment and customer service.
 
Our retail growth objective is to profitably build a leading premium coffeehouse brand. We will continue our efforts to increase our comparable coffeehouse sales from building our brand through marketing efforts and introducing new products. We believe that we have strong brand awareness and loyalty in markets where we operate coffeehouses. As we increase the density of coffeehouses within these markets we will be able to drive higher customer awareness, loyalty and comparable coffeehouse sales. As our comparable coffeehouse sales increase, we expect our operating margins to improve as we leverage our operating structure.
 
Commercial.  We sell our high-quality premium whole bean and ground coffee to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and on-line customers. In addition, we sell our blended coffees and license our brand to Keurig, Inc. for sale and use in its K-Cup single serve line of business. This segment of our business continues to expand. During our fiscal year ended January 3, 2010, the commercial segment experienced sales growth of 54% versus the prior fiscal year. Our growth strategy for the commercial segment is to continue to build our existing relationships and add new relationships with these points of distribution for our premium whole bean and ground coffee.
 
Franchise.  We opened our first franchised coffeehouse in 2004 and as of January 3, 2010, we have expanded the number of franchised coffeehouses and licensed kiosks to 121 with 71 of the franchised coffeehouses in international markets. We intend to continue to franchise and license Caribou Coffee branded coffeehouses and kiosks both domestically and internationally, where we believe there are significant opportunities to grow our business with qualified, multi-unit franchise development and licensing partners. In 2010, we are expecting to open 30 to 35 franchised coffeehouses and licensed kiosks in both domestic and international markets.


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Purchasing
 
Our principal raw material is coffee beans. We typically enter into supply contracts to purchase a pre-determined quantity of coffee beans at a fixed price per pound. These contracts with individual suppliers usually cover periods up to a year. As of January 3, 2010, we had commitments to purchase coffee beans at a total cost of $15.1 million through December 2010, or roughly 83% of our anticipated coffee bean requirements for 2010. We will purchase the remainder of the coffee beans we need in the market at negotiated prices or under additional supply contracts we enter into during the fiscal year 2010.
 
Our second largest raw material is dairy. We obtain our dairy products from regional dairy suppliers. In our established markets, we generally have arrangements with a dairy supplier under which we purchase for fixed prices based upon the commodity price plus a percentage.
 
Competition
 
Our primary competitors for coffee beverage sales are other premium coffee shops. In all markets in which we do business, there are numerous competitors in the premium coffee beverage business, and we expect this situation to continue. Starbucks is the premium coffeehouse segment leader with approximately 6,800 locations in the United States and approximately 2,100 locations internationally. Our primary competitors in addition to Starbucks are regional or local market coffeehouses. We also compete with numerous restaurants in various categories.
 
We believe that our customers choose among premium coffeehouses based upon the quality and variety of the coffee and other products, atmosphere, convenience, customer service and, to a lesser extent, price. Although we believe consumers differentiate coffee brands based on freshness (as an element of coffee quality), to our knowledge, few significant competitors focus on craft roasting and product freshness in the same manner as Caribou Coffee. We spend significant resources to differentiate our customer experience, which is defined by our products, coffeehouse environment and customer service, from the offerings of our competitors. Despite these efforts, our competitors still may be successful in attracting our customers.
 
Competition in the premium coffee market is becoming increasingly intense as relatively low barriers to entry encourage new competitors to enter the market. The financial, marketing and operating resources of these new market entrants may be greater than our resources. In addition, some of our existing competitors have substantially greater financial, marketing and operating resources. Our failure to compete successfully against current or future competitors could have an adverse effect on our business, including loss of customers, declining net sales and loss of market share.
 
We also face intense competition in the expansion of our franchise program as the number of franchising alternatives for potential franchisees increases. We will continue to seek franchisees to operate coffeehouses under the Caribou Coffee brand in both domestic and international markets. We believe that our ability to recruit, retain and contract with qualified franchisees will be increasingly important to our operations as we expand. Along with our high-quality products, our unique coffeehouse environment and our exceptional customer service, we believe that our innovative development of the “store within a store” kiosk program will allow us to differentiate ourselves from other franchise offerings.
 
In our commercial business, we face competition from a number of large multi-national consumer product companies including Kraft Foods Inc., Nestle Inc. and Proctor & Gamble, as well as, regional premium coffee bean companies, some of which also operate premium coffeehouses. As we seek to expand our opportunities with existing and potential commercial customers, we may not be successful.
 
We also compete with numerous other retailers and restaurants for retail real estate locations for our coffeehouses.
 
Service Marks and Trademarks
 
We regard the Caribou Coffee Brand and related intellectual property and other proprietary rights as important to our success. We rely on a combination of trademarks, copyrights, service marks, trade secrets and similar rights to protect our intellectual property. We own several trademarks and service marks that have been registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, including Caribou Coffee, Reindeer Blend and other product-specific names. We also use our trademarks and other intellectual property on the Internet. We have applications pending with the


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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a number of additional marks, including Amy’s Blend and Mahogany. We have registered or made application to register one or more of our marks in a number of foreign countries and expect to continue to do so in the future as we expand internationally. There can be no assurance that we can obtain the registration for the marks in every country where registration has been sought.
 
Our ability to differentiate the Caribou Coffee brand from those of our competitors depends, in part, on the strength and enforcement of our trademarks. We must constantly protect against any infringement by competitors. If a competitor infringes on our trademark rights, we may have to litigate to protect our rights, in which case, we may incur significant expenses and divert significant attention from our business operations.
 
Employees
 
As of January 3, 2010, we employed a workforce of 5,917 people, approximately 1,577 of whom are considered full-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union. We consider our relationship with our employees to be good.
 
Government Regulation
 
Our coffee roasting operations and our coffeehouses are subject to various governmental laws, regulations and licenses relating to health and safety, building and land use, and environmental protection. These governmental authorities include federal, state and local health, environmental, labor relations, sanitation, building, zoning, fire, safety and other departments that have jurisdiction over the development and operation of these locations. Our roasting facility is subject to state and local air quality and emissions regulations. We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with all such laws and regulations and that we have obtained all material licenses that are required for the operation of our business. We are not aware of any environmental regulations that have or that we believe will have a material adverse effect on our operations. Our activities are also subject to the American with Disabilities Act and related regulations, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in public accommodations and employment. Changes in any of these laws or regulations could have a material adverse affect on our operations, sales, and profitability. Delays or failures in obtaining or maintaining required construction and operating licenses, permits or approvals could delay or prevent the opening of new coffeehouse locations, or could materially and adversely affect the operation of existing coffeehouses.
 
Seasonality
 
Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, including fluctuations resulting from weather conditions and holidays. A disproportionate percentage of our total annual net sales and profits are realized during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, which includes the December holiday season. In addition, quarterly results are affected by the timing of the opening of new coffeehouses, and our growth may conceal the impact of other seasonal influences. Because of the seasonality of our business, results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.
 
Available Information
 
Our website is located at www.cariboucoffee.com. Caribou Coffee Company’s Form 10-K reports, along with all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are publicly available free of charge on Caribou Coffee Company’s website at www.cariboucoffee.com accessed from the Home page through the Investors section or at www.sec.gov as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are filed with or furnished to the SEC. The Company’s corporate governance policies, ethics code and Board of Directors’ committee charters are also posted within this section of our website. The information on the Company’s website is not part of this or any other report Caribou Coffee Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors
 
Certain statements we make in this filing, and other written or oral statements made by or on our behalf, may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words or phrases such as “should result,” “are expected to,” “we anticipate,” “we estimate,” “we project,” “we believe,” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties


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that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. We believe that these forward-looking statements are reasonable; however, you should not place undue reliance on such statements. Such statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. The following risk factors, as well as the risks detailed in the “Business” section and others that we may add from time to time, are some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expected results described in our forward-looking statements.
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
The United States economic crisis could adversely affect our business and financial results.
 
Many sectors of the economy have been adversely impacted from the global economic recession. As a business selling premium products that is dependent upon consumer discretionary spending, we face a challenging environment because our customers may have less money for discretionary purchases as a result of job losses, foreclosures, bankruptcies, reduced access to credit and sharply falling home prices. Any resulting decreases in customer traffic or average value per transaction will negatively impact our financial performance as reduced revenues result in sales de-leveraging which creates downward pressure on margins and profitability.
 
The availability and price of high quality Arabica coffee beans could impact our profitability and growth of our business.
 
We source our green coffee beans from direct coffee farmer relationships utilizing brokers. If we are not able to source sufficient quantities of green coffee beans to meet our demands for growth and expand, then our business could be negatively impacted. Also, the prices we pay for coffee beans are subject to movements in the commodity market for coffee. The price can fluctuate depending on such things as weather patterns in coffee-producing countries, economic and political conditions affecting coffee-producing countries, foreign currency fluctuations, coffee-producing countries’ export quotas, commodity market investor activity and general economic conditions. Should the price for coffee beans increase and we are not able to adjust our pricing and cost structure accordingly, our margins and profitability will decrease.
 
A significant interruption in the operation of our roasting, warehousing and distribution facility could potentially disrupt our operations.
 
We have only one roasting, warehousing and distribution facility supporting our supply chain activities. A significant interruption impacting this supply chain facility, whether as a result of a natural disaster or other causes, could significantly impair our ability to operate our business. A significant disruption in service from our support center facility would negatively impact sales in all business segments.
 
We may not be able to renew leases or control rent increases at our retail locations or obtain leases for new coffeehouses.
 
Our coffeehouses are all leased. At the end of the term of the lease, we may be forced to find a new location to lease or close the coffeehouse. Any of these events could adversely affect our profitability. We compete with numerous other retailers and restaurants for coffeehouse sites in the highly competitive market for retail real estate. As a result, we may not be able to obtain new leases, or renew existing ones, on acceptable terms, which could adversely affect our net sales and brand-building initiatives.
 
We are susceptible to adverse trends and economic conditions in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest.
 
As of January 3, 2010, 211, or 51%, of our coffeehouses were located in Minnesota. An additional 76, or 18%, were located in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Our Minnesota coffeehouses accounted for approximately half of our company-operated coffeehouse net sales during the year ended January 3, 2010. Our Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin company-operated coffeehouses accounted for approximately 72% of our coffeehouse net sales during the year ended January 3, 2010. As a result, any adverse trends and economic conditions in these states have a disproportionate adverse impact on


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our overall results. In addition, given our geographic concentration in these states, negative publicity in the region regarding any of our coffeehouses could have a material effect on our business and operations throughout the region, as could other regional occurrences such as local strikes, new or revised laws or regulations, adverse weather conditions, natural disasters or disruptions in the supply of food products.
 
Complaints or claims by current, former or prospective employees could adversely affect us.
 
We are subject to a variety of regulations which govern such matters as minimum wages, overtime and other working conditions, various family leave mandates and a variety of other laws enacted, or rules and regulations promulgated, by federal, state and local governmental authorities that govern these and other employment matters. A material increase in the minimum wage and other statutory benefits could adversely affect our operating results. We have been, and in the future may be, the subject of complaints or litigation from current, former or prospective employees from time to time. These complaints or litigation involving current, former or prospective employees could divert our management’s time and attention from our business operations and might potentially result in substantial costs of defense, settlement or other disposition, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in one or more fiscal periods.
 
Risks Related to Our Structure
 
Arcapita has substantial control over us, and could limit other shareholders’ ability to influence the outcome of matters requiring shareholder approval and may support corporate actions that conflict with other shareholders’ interests.
 
Our largest shareholder is an affiliate of Arcapita Bank B.S.C. (c), a global investment group founded in 1997 with offices in Atlanta, London and Bahrain. We refer to Arcapita Bank B.S.C. (c) and its affiliates collectively as either Arcapita or our majority shareholder in the Form 10-K.
 
Arcapita beneficially owns 11,672,245 shares, or approximately 58.9%, of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of January 3, 2010. Arcapita’s ownership of shares of our common stock could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us, could discourage a potential acquirer from obtaining control of us, even if the acquisition or merger would be in the best interest of our shareholders, or could otherwise affect our business because of our compliance with Shari’ah principles as described below. This could have an adverse effect on the market price for shares of our common stock. Arcapita is also able to control the election of directors to our board. Two of the eight members of our board of directors are representatives of Arcapita.
 
Our compliance with Shari’ah principles may make it difficult for us to obtain financing and may limit the products we sell.
 
Arcapita operates its business and makes its investments in a manner consistent with the body of Islamic principles known as Shari’ah. Consequently, we operate our business in a manner that is consistent with Shari’ah principles and will continue to do so for so long as Arcapita is a controlling shareholder. Shari’ah principles regarding the lending and borrowing of money require application of qualitative and quantitative standards. A Shari’ah-compliant company is prohibited from engaging in derivative hedging transactions such as interest rate swaps or futures, forward options or other instruments designed to hedge against changes in interest rates or the price of commodities we purchase. Also, a Shari’ah compliant company is prohibited from dealing in the areas of alcohol, gambling, pornography, pork and pork-related products.
 
Provisions in our articles of incorporation and bylaws and of Minnesota law have anti-takeover effects that could prevent a change in control that could be beneficial to our shareholders, which could depress the market price of shares of our common stock.
 
Our articles of incorporation and bylaws and Minnesota corporate law contain provisions that could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of us or our management that could be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions could also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other shareholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. As a result, these provisions could limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions might also discourage a potential acquisition


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proposal or tender offer, even if the acquisition proposal or tender offer is at a price above the then current market price for shares of our common stock. These provisions:
 
  •  authorize our board of directors to issue preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of those shares, which would be senior to our common stock, without prior shareholder approval;
 
  •  establish advance notice requirements for nominating directors and proposing matters to be voted on by shareholders at shareholder meetings;
 
  •  provide that directors may be removed by shareholders only for cause;
 
  •  limit the right of our shareholders to call a special meeting of shareholders; and
 
  •  impose procedural and other requirements that could make it difficult for shareholders to effect some corporate actions.
 
Item 1B.   Unresolved Staff Comments
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 2.   Properties
 
Locations and Facilities
 
Coffeehouse Locations
 
As of January 3, 2010, we had 534 retail coffeehouses, including 121 franchised locations. Caribou Coffee’s coffeehouses are located in 20 states, the District of Columbia and international markets.
 
                         
    Company
          Total
 
State
  Owned     Franchised     Coffeehouses  
 
Minnesota
    211       3       214  
Illinois
    54       5       59  
Ohio
    36             36  
Michigan
    19       5       24  
North Carolina
    19       1       20  
Wisconsin
    12       3       15  
Georgia
    13       1       14  
Virginia
    11       3       14  
Colorado
    8       4       12  
Maryland
    8             8  
Iowa
    5       3       8  
Washington, D.C. 
    6             6  
North Dakota
    3       3       6  
Nebraska
          6       6  
Kansas
    1       4       5  
Pennsylvania
    4             4  
South Dakota
    2       2       4  
Missouri
    1       2       3  
Alabama
          2       2  
Indiana
          2       2  
Nevada
          1       1  
International(1)
          71       71  
                         
      413       121       534  
 
 
(1) represents 66 franchised locations in six Middle Eastern countries and 5 in South Korea


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We lease all of our retail facilities.  Most of our existing leases are for five to 10 years and typically have multiple five-year renewal options. We regularly evaluate the economic performance of our coffeehouses and, when feasible, close ones that do not meet our expectations.
 
Headquarters and Roasting Facility
 
We currently conduct our roasting and packaging, and warehouse and distribution activities in a 130,000 square foot leased facility in suburban Minneapolis, which also houses our corporate headquarters. We lease this facility under a lease that has an initial term that expires in 2019 and is subject to extensions through 2029. We have an option to purchase the facility at the end of the initial lease term. This facility has approximately 46,000 square feet for warehousing of finished goods and distribution, approximately 42,000 square feet for storage of raw materials, roasting and packaging and approximately 42,000 square feet of office space. At present, we are operating at less than our full capacity, and we believe that our existing infrastructure is scalable so that we can add additional capacity with limited incremental capital expenditures in the near future. In addition, when we need to add additional roasting, packaging and fulfillment infrastructure, we believe that we can do so at a relatively inexpensive cost.
 
This facility is organic certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing us to offer our Rainforest Blend and our Acacia Blend as organic certified. From time to time we engage third party vendors to meet special processing needs, including roasting or specialized packaging for specific commercial accounts.
 
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings
 
On May 25, 2005, the Company received a complaint by three of its former employees for a lawsuit in the State of Minnesota District Court for Hennepin County seeking monetary and equitable relief from the Company under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act (“Minnesota FLSA”), the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), and state common law (hereafter the “FLSA Suit”). The FLSA Suit primarily alleged that the Company misclassified its retail store managers and managers in training as exempt from the overtime provisions of the Minnesota FLSA and the FLSA and that these managers and mangers in training are therefore entitled to overtime compensation for each week in which they worked more than 40 hours from May 2002 to the present with respect to the claims under the FLSA and for weeks in which they worked more than 48 hours from May 2003 to the present with respect to the claims under the Minnesota FLSA. Plaintiffs sought payment of allegedly owed and unpaid overtime compensation, liquidated damages, interest, and among other things, attorney’s fees and costs.
 
The Company and Plaintiffs, after mediation of the matter on February 1, 2008, entered into a Stipulation of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the FLSA Suit. The Stipulation provided for a gross settlement payment of $2.7 million, plus the employer’s share of payroll taxes. A partial settlement payment of $1.75 million was made on March 15, 2008; a final settlement payment of $0.95 million was made on December 29, 2008. Settlement payments made to all participating class members and all attorneys’ fees for plaintiffs’ counsel were paid from the $2.7 million.
 
In addition, from time to time, we become involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any such ordinary course legal proceedings to which we are currently a party will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
 
Item 4.   Reserved
 


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Item 4A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
The following table sets forth certain information concerning the individuals who will be our executive officers, with ages as of March 26, 2010:
 
             
Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
Michael Tattersfield
    44     President and Chief Executive Officer
Timothy J. Hennessy
    48     Chief Financial Officer
Henry J. Suerth
    64     Senior Vice President of Commercial Business
Daniel J. Hurdle
    44     Senior Vice President of Retail Operations and Product Management
Alfredo V. Martel
    44     Senior Vice President of Marketing
Dan E. Lee
    53     Senior Vice President General Counsel and Secretary
Karen E. McBride-Raffel
    44     Vice President of Human Resources
 
Michael Tattersfield has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2008. Previously, Mr. Tattersfield was with lululemon athletica, inc. (“lulu”), a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company, where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President from 2006 to 2008. Prior to joining lulu, Mr. Tattersfield served as Vice President Store Operations for Limited Brands, Inc. (“Limited Brands”), an operator of specialty stores that sell apparel, personal care, beauty and lingerie products, from 2005 to 2006. Prior to joining Limited Brands, Mr. Tattersfield was with Yum! Brands, Inc., the world’s largest restaurant company in terms of system restaurants, serving as President of A&W All American Food Restaurants from 2003 to 2005, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean from 1998 to 2002, Chief Financial Officer and Development Director of Mexico from 1996 to 1998 and Director of Operations of Pizza Hut and KFC for Mexico from 1992 to 1996.
 
Timothy J. Hennessy has served as our Chief Financial Officer since September 2008. Previously, Mr. Hennessy was with Carlson Wagonlit Travel (“Carlson Wagonlit”), a European-based leading travel management company, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President from 2001 to 2007, Chief Financial Officer of America and Vice President from 1999 to 2000 and Group Controller from 1997 to 1999. Prior to joining Carlson Wagonlit, Mr. Hennessy served as Director of Acquisitions and Strategic Planning for Carlson Companies (“Carlson”), a large private company providing travel, hotel, restaurant, cruise and marketing services directly to consumers, corporations and government entities, from 1994 to 1996. Prior to joining Carlson, Mr. Hennessy was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, an audit, consulting, financial advisory, risk management and tax services firm, from 1983 to 1992.
 
Henry J. Suerth has served as our Senior Vice President of Commercial Business since April 2009. Mr. Suerth was with Starbucks Coffee Company where he served as Senior Vice President of Business Alliances. Mr. Suerth has also held roles as President and CEO of Infinity Systems, a global audio company; CEO of Recoton Corporation’s multi brand home audio business, as well as general management roles at Ethan Allen, the Cahners Exposition Group and FMC Corporation. Mr. Suerth also managed his own Connecticut-based management consulting company, Decision Resources, for six years and has an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and a B.S. in Industrial Management from Purdue University.
 
Daniel J. Hurdle has been with the Company since October 2008 and currently serves as our Senior Vice President of Retail Operations and Product Management. Previously, Mr. Hurdle was the Senior Vice President of North American Field Operations for Weight Watchers. From 2006 to 2008 Mr. Hurdle was Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development for Washington Mutual. Mr. Hurdle also held various leadership roles with Starbucks Coffee Company where he was Vice President, Existing Stores Portfolio from 2005 to 2006; Vice President, Retail Food Business from 2002 to 2005; and Vice President, Strategy and Chief of Staff to the President North America from 2001 to 2002.


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Alfredo V. Martel has served as our Senior Vice President of Marketing since October 2008. Previously, Mr. Martel was employed by KFC USA, Yum! Brands where he held a variety of marketing positions and was most recently the Director of Marketing.
 
Dan E. Lee has served as our General Counsel, Vice President and Secretary since August 2005 and Senior Vice President since November 2009. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lee served as an attorney for MoneyGram International, Inc., a global payment services company, from April 2005 to July 2005. From 1988 to 2004, Mr. Lee worked with Carlson Companies, Inc., a large private company in the hospitality, marketing and travel industries. From 2003 to 2004, he was Executive Vice President, Program Manager and Associate General Counsel for CW Government Travel, a part of the travel operations of Carlson Companies responsible for soliciting and managing travel for U.S. government departments. From 1988 to 2003, he was Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Carlson Companies.
 
Karen E. McBride-Raffel has served as our Vice President of Human Resources since June 2003 and as our Senior Director of Field Human Resources from March 2000 through May 2003. Prior to that time she held various other positions with us since joining us in 1995, including Human Resource Manager and Director of Human Resources.
 
PART II
 
Item 5.   Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market for the Registrant’s Stock
 
The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “CBOU.” The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low prices for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market.
 
                 
    Market Price (Low/High)
    2009   2008
 
For the Fiscal Year
               
First Quarter
  $ 1.36 – 2.28     $ 2.40 – 4.05  
Second Quarter
  $ 1.97 – 7.08     $ 1.75 – 3.15  
Third Quarter
  $ 4.78 – 8.69     $ 1.28 – 3.48  
Fourth Quarter
  $ 6.59 – 9.15     $ 1.10 – 2.54  
 
As of March 18, 2010, there were approximately 6,377 registered holders of record of the Company’s common stock.
 
Dividend Policy
 
We have not declared or paid any dividends on our capital stock. We expect to retain any future earnings to fund the development and expansion of our business. Therefore, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our revolving credit facility contains provisions, which restrict our ability to pay dividends on our common stock.
 
Sales of Unregistered Securities
 
Not applicable.


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Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
 
The table below presents our selected consolidated financial data as of and for each of our fiscal years ended January 3, 2010, December 28, 2008, December 30, 2007, December 31, 2006 and January 1, 2006. The balance sheet data and consolidated statement of operations data as of and for our fiscal years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The balance sheet data and consolidated statement of operations data as of and for the fiscal years ended December 30, 2007, December 31, 2006, and January 1, 2006 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements not included in this report.
 
The following selected consolidated financial data and operating information should be read in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report. The historical results presented below are not necessarily indicative of future results.
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended(5)  
    January 3,
    December 28,
    December 30,
    December 31,
    January 1,
 
    2010     2008     2007     2006     2006  
    (In thousands, except per share and operating data)  
 
Statements of Operations Data:
                                       
Net sales:
                                       
Coffeehouses
  $ 227,224     $ 229,092     $ 240,267     $ 225,649     $ 191,310  
Commercial and franchise
    35,315       24,807       16,567       10,580       6,682  
                                         
Total net sales
    262,539       253,899       256,834       236,229       197,992  
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs
    115,886       109,632       108,358       98,656       80,242  
Operating expenses
    99,498       100,309       107,062       97,320       80,026  
Opening expenses
    24       230       502       1,738       2,096  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,102       24,928       32,150       21,548       16,376  
General and administrative expenses
    27,145       29,145       32,324       25,943       22,742  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    343       5,113       6,839       510       572  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
    5,541       (15,458 )     (30,401 )     (9,486 )     (4,062 )
Other income (expense):
                                       
Other income
                      1,059       1,336  
Interest income
    26       25       181       554       266  
Interest expense
    (261 )     (810 )     (576 )     (695 )     (1,602 )
                                         
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
    5,306       (16,243 )     (30,796 )     (8,568 )     (4,062 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (246 )     36       (297 )     313       79  
                                         
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change
    5,552       (16,279 )     (30,499 )     (8,881 )     (4,141 )
Noncontrolling interest
    414       63       164       178       319  
                                         
Income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. before cumulative effect of accounting change
    5,138       (16,342 )     (30,663 )     (9,059 )     (4,460 )
Cumulative effect of accounting change (net of income tax)(1)
                            (445 )
                                         
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
  $ 5,138     $ (16,342 )   $ (30,663 )   $ (9,059 )   $ (4,905 )
                                         


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    Fiscal Year Ended(5)  
    January 3,
    December 28,
    December 30,
    December 31,
    January 1,
 
    2010     2008     2007     2006     2006  
    (In thousands, except per share and operating data)  
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share:
                                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. before cumulative effect of accounting change
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.29 )
                                         
Cumulative effect of accounting change
  $     $     $     $     $ (0.03 )
                                         
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.32 )
                                         
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (0.47 )   $ (0.32 )
                                         
Basic shares used in calculation of net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. per share
    19,443       19,371       19,333       19,282       15,255  
                                         
Diluted shares used in calculation of net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. per share
    20,000       19,371       19,333       19,282       15,255  
                                         
Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
                                       
EBITDA(2)
  $ 21,307     $ 11,618     $ 3,797     $ 15,040     $ 14,796  
Adjusted EBITDA(2)
    21,307       11,618       3,797       15,040       15,911  
Operating Data:
                                       
Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse sales(3)
    (2 )%     (4 )%     0 %     (1 )%     6 %
Company-Operated coffeehouse operating weeks
    21,918       21,810       22,814       21,110       17,133  
Company-Operated:
                                       
Coffeehouses open at beginning of year
    414       432       440       386       304  
Coffeehouses opened during the year
    0       7       20       60       86  
Coffeehouses closed during the year
    (1 )     (25 )     (28 )     (6 )     (4 )
                                         
Coffeehouses open at end of year:
                                       
Total Company-Operated
    413       414       432       440       386  
Franchised:
                                       
Coffeehouses open at beginning of year
    97       52       24       9       2  
Coffeehouses opened during the year
    28       45       28       20       7  
Coffeehouses closed during the year
    (4 )                 (5 )      
                                         
Coffeehouses open at end of year:
                                       
Total Franchised
    121       97       52       24       9  
                                         
Total coffeehouses open at end of year
    534       511       484       464       395  
                                         
 

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    As of  
    January 3,
    December 28,
    December 30,
    December 31,
    January 1,
 
    2010     2008     2007     2006     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Balance Sheet Data:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,578     $ 11,060     $ 9,886     $ 14,752     $ 33,846  
Total assets
    93,727       89,572       111,840       136,308       147,960  
Total notes payable and revolving credit facility
                             
Accumulated deficit
    (76,341 )     (81,479 )     (65,137 )     (33,944 )     (24,885 )
Total equity(4)
    50,776       44,008       59,433       88,561       97,064  
 
 
(1) In March 2005, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires the recognition of a liability for the fair value of a legally-required conditional asset retirement obligation when incurred, if the liability’s fair value can be reasonably estimated. That guidance also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The Company is required to record an asset and a corresponding liability for the present value of the estimated asset retirement obligation associated with the fixed assets and leasehold improvements at some of our coffeehouse locations. The asset is depreciated over the life of the corresponding lease while the liability accretes to the amount of the estimated retirement obligation. The new accounting guidance was effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005 and was adopted on October 3, 2005 with a $0.4 million cumulative effect of accounting change (net of tax) recorded in the Company’s results of operations. This charge is a combination of depreciation and accretion expense.
 
(2) EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA is equal to net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. excluding: (a) interest expense; (b) interest income; (c) depreciation and amortization; and (d) income taxes. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA is different from EBITDA because we further adjust net income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. for: (a) a one-time compensation charge associated with amending the terms of our Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement; and (b) a one-time recognition of derivative income associated with the decrease in fair value of the IPO — related underwriters’ over-allotment option. For a description of our use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. to these non-GAAP financial measures, see the discussion and related table below.
 
(3) Percentage change in comparable coffeehouse 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 sales calculations.
 
(4) In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance establishing new standards that govern the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in partially owned subsidiaries. The Company adopted these accounting rules on December 29, 2008 and has accordingly retroactively applied the presentation and disclosure requirements for the existing noncontrolling interest for all periods presented by including noncontrolling interest as a component of total equity.
 
(5) The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Fiscal year 2009 includes 53 weeks. All other fiscal years presented include 52 weeks.
 
We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors in evaluating our operating performance for the following reasons:
 
  •  Our coffeehouse leases are generally short-term (5-10 years) and we 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). We opened a net 208 company-operated coffeehouses, from the beginning of fiscal 2003 through 2009. As a result, we believe depreciation expense is disproportionately large when compared to the sales from a significant percentage of

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  our 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. Additionally, depreciation and amortization is impacted by accelerated depreciation from asset impairments. Consequently, we believe that adjusting for depreciation and amortization is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our coffeehouses.
 
  •  In June 2005, we recorded a one-time compensation charge of $1.7 million in connection with amending the terms of the employment agreement with our former chief executive officer. We believe that it is useful to exclude this expense from Adjusted EBITDA because it was non-recurring and was unrelated to our operations.
 
  •  In connection with our initial public offering (“IPO”), we granted the underwriters an option to purchase 803,700 shares of our common stock at $14 per share for 30 days beginning on September 28, 2005 (the “grant date”). Since this option extended beyond the closing of the IPO, the option represented a call option that met the definition of a derivative. Accordingly, the call option was separately accounted for at fair value with the change in fair value between the grant date and October 2, 2005 recorded as other income. We used the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of the call option at the grant date and at October 2, 2005 using the following assumptions: 50% volatility factor, 30 day life and risk free interest rate of 3.43%. At September 28, 2005, we recorded a liability of $0.7 million with a corresponding decrease to additional paid in capital to record the fair value of the call option on such date. The fair value of the call option aggregated less than $0.1million on October 2, 2005 and we recorded the decrease in such fair value aggregating $0.6 million as other income in the statement of operations for the thirteen-week period ended October 2, 2005. The underwriters did not exercise their option and it expired on October 28, 2005. We believe that it is useful to exclude this expense from Adjusted EBITDA because it was non-recurring and was unrelated to our operations.
 
Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
 
  •  as measurements of operating performance because they assist us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as they remove the impact of items not directly resulting from our 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 our capacity to incur and service debt, fund capital expenditures and expand our business.
 
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by us are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: (a) do not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined by GAAP; (b) are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund our cash flow needs; and (c) should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, cash flows from operating activities or our other financial information as determined under GAAP.
 
We prepare Adjusted EBITDA by adjusting EBITDA to eliminate the impact of a number of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. You are encouraged to evaluate each adjustment and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to all of the limitations applicable to EBITDA. In addition, in evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we might incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an implication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.


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The table below reconciles net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
    December 30,
    December 31,
    January 1,
 
    2010     2008     2007     2006     2006  
    (In thousands)  
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                                       
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
  $ 5,138     $ (16,342 )   $ (30,663 )   $ (9,059 )   $ (4,905 )
Interest expense
    261       810       576       695       1,602  
Interest income
    (26 )     (25 )     (181 )     (554 )     (266 )
Depreciation and amortization(1)
    16,180       27,139       34,362       23,645       18,284  
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (246 )     36       (297 )     313       79  
                                         
EBITDA
    21,307       11,618       3,797       15,040       14,796  
Derivative income
                            (623 )
Amendment of employment agreement
                            1,738  
                                         
Adjusted EBITDA
  $ 21,307     $ 11,618     $ 3,797     $ 15,040     $ 15,911  
                                         
 
 
(1) Includes depreciation and amortization associated with our headquarters and roasting facility that are categorized as general and administrative expenses and cost of sales and related occupancy costs on our statement of operations.
 
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes that appear elsewhere in this report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly under the heading “Risk Factors.”
 
Overview
 
We are the second largest company-operated premium coffeehouse operator in the United States based on the number of coffeehouses. As of January 3, 2010, we had 534 retail locations, including 121 franchised. Our coffeehouses are located in 20 states and the District of Columbia and two international markets. Our coffeehouses aspire to be the community place loved by our guests as we strive to provide them with an extraordinary experience that makes their day better. We source the highest-quality coffees in the world and our skilled roast masters personally oversee the craft roasting of every single batch to bring out the best in every bean. We also provide the highest quality handcrafted beverages, foods and coffee lifestyle items. We deliver our guest experience with our unique blend of expertise, fun and authentic human connection in a comfortable and welcoming coffeehouse environment. We will continue our efforts to increase our comparable coffeehouse sales, including increasing our brand awareness through marketing efforts and introducing new products. As our comparable coffeehouse sales increase, we expect our operating margins at those coffeehouses to improve as we expect to have a greater ability to leverage our operating structure. We intend to continue strategically expanding our coffeehouse locations predominately in our existing markets. During fiscal year 2009, we opened 28 new coffeehouses and licensed locations.
 
In addition, our commercial segment sells our products to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and other commercial customers. During our fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 the commercial segment experienced sales growth of 54% compared to the prior fiscal year. Our growth strategy for the commercial segment is to continue to build our relationships with existing and add new points of distribution for our premium whole bean and ground coffee. In addition, we will continue to


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leverage our successes from selling our blended coffees and licensing our brand to Keurig, Inc. for sale and use in its K-Cup line of business.
 
Our goal is to expand into a nationally recognized premium coffee branded company in the United States by opening new company-operated coffeehouses, partnering with qualified developers to open franchised coffeehouses, while adding select international locations through franchising, and expanding our points of distribution within our commercial segment.
 
Critical Accounting Policies
 
Our consolidated financial statements and the related notes contain information that is pertinent to management’s discussion and analysis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Our actual results might, under different assumptions and conditions, differ from our estimates. We believe the following critical accounting policies are significant or involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions, and estimates necessary in determining the related asset and liability amounts.
 
Long-lived assets.  Management uses judgment regarding the future operating and disposition plans for marginally performing assets and estimates of expected realizable values for assets to be sold. Actual results may differ from those estimates. We periodically evaluate possible impairment at the individual coffeehouse level, and record an impairment loss whenever we determine impairment factors are present. We also periodically evaluate the criteria we use as an indication of a coffeehouse impairment. We consider a history of coffeehouse operating losses to be a primary indicator of potential impairment for individual coffeehouse locations. A lack of improvement at the coffeehouses we are monitoring, or deteriorating results at other coffeehouses, could result in additional impairment charges. During fiscal year 2008, the assets related to thirty-seven coffeehouses were impaired, of which we recorded charges of approximately $7.5 million. We had no coffeehouse impairments during fiscal 2009.
 
Stock-based compensation.  We maintain stock-based compensation plans, which provide for the granting of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock to officers and key employees and certain non-employees. Stock options are granted with strike prices equal to the fair market value of our common stock as of the dates of grant. Options vest generally over four years and expire ten years from the grant date. We recognize expense related to the fair value of our stock-based compensation awards. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is recognized as an expense on a straight line basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each option is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The fair value of each restricted stock award is calculated based on the trading value of the underlying stock on the grant date. Stock-based compensation expense for fiscal year 2009 and 2008, totaled approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
Lease accounting.  We enter into operating leases for all of our coffeehouse locations. Certain of our leases provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing on a date that is other than the date we take possession. We recognize rent expense on leases for coffeehouse and office buildings on a straight line basis over the initial lease term and commencing on the date we take possession. We use the date of initial possession (regardless of when rent payments commence) to begin recognition of rent expense, which is generally the date we begin to add leasehold improvements to ready the site for its intended use. We record landlord allowances as deferred rent in other long-term liabilities and accrued expenses on our consolidated balance sheets and amortize such amounts as a component of cost of sales and related occupancy costs on a straight-line basis over the term of the related leases.
 
Income taxes.  We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state tax liabilities. These estimates include, among other items, effective rates for state and local income taxes, estimates related to depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, and the tax deductibility of certain other items. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time we prepare the income tax provision. We generally file our annual income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. Income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.


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Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future income tax benefits or consequences of loss carryforwards and temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities. We must assess the likelihood that we will be able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, we establish valuation allowances to offset any deferred tax asset recorded. The valuation allowance is based upon historical taxable income. Given that we have had net operating losses, we have recognized a valuation allowance equal to 100% of our net deferred tax assets. As of January 3, 2010, our loss carryforward was $30.4 million and we had a valuation allowance aggregating $29.4 million recorded such that net deferred income tax assets were fully reserved at such date. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2011, if not utilized.
 
Though the validity of any tax position is a matter of tax law, the body of statutory, regulatory and interpretive guidance on the application of the law is complex and often ambiguous. Because of this, whether a tax position will ultimately be sustained may be uncertain. Our recognition of an uncertain tax position is dependent on whether or not that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. If an uncertain tax position is more likely than not of being sustained, the position must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
 
Fiscal Periods
 
Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday falling nearest to December 31. Fiscal years 2009 and 2008 include 53 and 52 weeks, respectively.
 
Consolidated Results of Operations
 
The following discussion on results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Item 6. Selected Consolidated Financial Data,” the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and the other financial data included elsewhere in this report.
 
Fiscal Year 2009 Compared to Fiscal Year 2008
 
                 
    Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Statement of Operations Data:
               
Net Sales:
               
Retail Coffeehouses
    86.5 %     90.2 %
Commercial and Franchise
    13.5       9.8  
                 
Net sales
    100.0       100.0  
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    44.1       43.2  
Operating expenses
    37.9       39.5  
Opening expenses
    0.0       0.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    5.4       9.8  
General and administrative expenses
    10.3       11.5  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    0.1       2.0  
                 
Operating income (loss)
    2.1       (6.1 )
Interest income
    0.0       0.0  
Interest expense
    (0.1 )     (0.3 )
                 
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    2.0       (6.4 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    (0.1 )     (0.0 )
                 
Net income (loss)
    2.1       (6.4 )
Noncontrolling interest
    0.1       0.0  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
    2.0 %     (6.4 )%
                 


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Net Sales
 
Net sales increased $8.6 million, or 3.4%, to $262.5 million in fiscal 2009, from $253.9 million in fiscal 2008. Approximately $5.1 million of this increase is due to the extra week in the 2009 fiscal year. The remainder of this increase is primarily attributable to an increase in commercial sales. Comparable coffeehouse sales for fiscal year 2009 were down 2.3% when compared with fiscal year 2008. Franchised sales are not included in the comparable coffeehouse sales calculations. For fiscal 2009, Commercial and Franchise sales increased $10.5 million, or 42.4%, as compared to fiscal 2008. When adjusting for the extra week in the 2009 fiscal year, Commercial and Franchise sales increased $9.7 million, or 39.0% This increase was largely due to sales to existing and new commercial customers and to product sales, franchise fees and royalties from the twenty-four net franchised coffeehouses openings during the preceding twelve months.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs.  Cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased $6.3 million, or 5.7%, to $115.9 million in fiscal year 2009, from $109.6 million in fiscal year 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to the increased cost of sales associated with the increased product sales in our commercial and franchise segments. Commercial and Franchise sales generally have a higher cost of sales and related occupancy costs rate than company-operated coffeehouses. As a percentage of net sales, cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased to 44.1% in fiscal year 2009, from 43.2% in fiscal year 2008. The increase in cost of sales and related occupancy costs as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the high growth in Commercial and Franchise sales which changed the overall mix of sales.
 
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 0.8%, to $99.5 million in fiscal year 2009, from $100.3 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of total net sales, operating expenses decreased to 37.9% in fiscal year 2009 from 39.5% in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to lower labor expense as a percent of net sales at company-operated coffeehouses. We also were able to leverage the increase in sales in our franchise and commercial segments with relatively flat operating expenses in those segments compared to 2008. During 2009, the company increased its investment in building its brand through marketing activities and increased its investment in product development areas.
 
Opening expenses.  Opening expenses were minimal in fiscal year 2009, down from $0.2 million in fiscal year 2008. We opened 7 new company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2008 and did not open any new company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2009.
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization decreased $10.8 million, or 43.4%, to $14.1 million in fiscal year 2009, from $24.9 million in fiscal year 2008. This decrease was largely due to the accelerated depreciation in 2007 associated with coffeehouse asset impairments in fiscal 2008. Coffeehouse depreciation and amortization includes $7.5 million in accelerated depreciation associated with coffeehouse asset impairments in fiscal 2008. We had no impairments recorded in fiscal year 2009. Additionally fiscal year 2009 depreciation and amortization decreased due to a lower depreciable asset base as a result of accelerated depreciation associated with coffeehouse asset impairments recorded prior to fiscal year 2009 and reduced capital spending in fiscal years 2009 and 2008.
 
General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 6.9%, to $27.1 million in fiscal 2009 from $29.1 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of total net sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 10.3% of total net sales in fiscal year 2009, from 11.5% of total net sales in fiscal year 2008. This decrease is primarily related to severance costs of $1.7 million recorded in fiscal year 2008 resulting from management changes as well as cost efficiencies realized during fiscal year 2009 from realigning our corporate and field administrative functional resources while investing in marketing and product management resources.
 
Closing expenses and disposal of assets.  Closing expenses and disposal of assets decreased $4.8 million to $0.3 million in fiscal year 2009 from $5.1 million in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in closing expenses and disposal of assets is primarily attributable to asset write-off and lease termination costs associated with the closing of 25 underperforming company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2008 compared to closing one company-operated


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coffeehouse in fiscal year 2009. Expenses associated with the closings are variable from coffeehouse to coffeehouse and are dependent upon the amount of time left on the lease and the remaining carrying value of assets associated with each coffeehouse.
 
Interest expense.  Interest expense decreased $0.5 million to $0.2 million in fiscal year 2009 from $0.8 million in fiscal year 2008. During 2009, the Company did not draw on its revolving credit facility and the interest expense is primarily related to credit facility acquisition cost amortization and on-going commitment fees. During fiscal year 2008, the Company periodically had borrowings under its revolving credit facility.
 
Operating Segments
 
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that our management reviews financial information for decision making purposes. We have three reportable operating segments: retail, commercial and franchise. “Unallocated corporate” includes expenses pertaining to corporate administrative functions that support the operating segments but are not specifically attributable to or managed by any segment and are not included in the reported financial results of the operating segments. The following tables summarize our results of operations by segment for fiscal 2009 and 2008.
 
Retail Coffeehouses
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
          January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008     % Change     2010     2008  
    (In thousands)           As a% of coffeehouse sales  
 
Coffeehouse sales
  $ 227,223     $ 229,092       (0.8 )%     100.0 %     100.0 %
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    93,027       94,568       (1.6 )     40.9       41.3  
Operating expenses
    94,569       96,535       (2.0 )     41.6       42.1  
Opening expenses
    0       181       (100.0 )     0.0       0.1  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,053       24,899       (43.6 )     6.2       10.9  
General and administrative expenses
    7,994       9,564       (16.4 )     3.5       4.2  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    357       5,016       (92.9 )     0.2       2.2  
                                         
Segment operating income (loss)
  $ 17,224     $ (1,671 )     (1,130.8 )%     7.6 %     (0.7 )%
                                         
 
The retail segment operates company-operated coffeehouses. As of January 3, 2010, there were 413 company-operated coffeehouses in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
 
Retail Coffeehouse sales
 
Coffeehouse sales decreased $1.9 million, or 0.8%, to $227.2 million in fiscal year 2009 from $229.1 million in fiscal year 2008. This decrease is primarily attributable to the 2.3% decline in comparable coffeehouse sales offset by the additional week in the 2009 fiscal calendar.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs.  Cost of sales and related occupancy costs decreased $1.5 million, or 1.6%, to $93.0 million in fiscal year 2009, from $94.6 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of total net sales, cost of sales and related occupancy costs decreased to 40.9% in fiscal year 2009, from 41.3% in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in cost of sales and related occupancy costs as a percentage of coffeehouse sales was primarily due to cost management in 2009 and the closing of underperforming coffeehouses in fiscal year 2008.
 
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses decreased $2.0 million, or 2.0%, to $94.6 million in fiscal year 2009, from $96.5 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of total net sales, operating expenses decreased to 41.6% in fiscal year 2009 from 42.1% in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of


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coffeehouse sales was primarily due to better leverage of labor expense in fiscal year 2009 while investing in brand building and product development activities.
 
Opening expenses.  Opening expenses were $0.2 million in fiscal year 2008, related to 7 new company-operated coffeehouses that were opened. There were no company-operated coffeehouse openings in fiscal year 2009.
 
Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization decreased $10.8 million, or 43.6%, to $14.1 million in fiscal year 2009, from $24.9 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of coffeehouse sales, coffeehouse depreciation and amortization decreased to 6.2% in fiscal year 2009 from 10.9% in fiscal year 2008. This decrease was due to accelerated depreciation associated with coffeehouse asset impairments in fiscal year 2008 as well as a lower depreciable asset base as a result of impairments recorded prior to fiscal year 2009 and reduced capital spending in fiscal years 2009 and 2008. Coffeehouse depreciation and amortization includes $7.5 million in accelerated depreciation associated with coffeehouse asset impairments in fiscal year 2008. There were no coffeehouse impairments recorded in fiscal year 2009.
 
General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased $1.6 million, or 16.4%, to $8.0 million in fiscal year 2009 from $9.6 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of coffeehouse sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 3.5% in fiscal year 2009 from 4.2% in fiscal year 2008. The decrease was largely due to the realignment of our operating structure supporting our retail coffeehouse activities.
 
Closing expense and disposal of assets.  Closing expense and disposal of assets decreased $4.7 million to $0.4 million in fiscal year 2009 from $5.0 million in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in closing expense and disposal of assets is primarily attributable to asset write-offs and lease termination costs associated with the closing of 25 underperforming company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2008 compared to one company-operated coffeehouse closure in fiscal year 2009. Expenses associated with the closings are variable from coffeehouse to coffeehouse and are dependent upon the amount of time left on the lease and the remaining carrying value of assets associated with each coffeehouse.
 
Commercial
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
          January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008     % Change     2010     2008  
    (In thousands)           As a% of commercial sales  
 
Sales
  $ 27,577     $ 17,927       53.8 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    18,515       11,296       63.9       67.1       63.0  
Operating expenses
    3,819       2,258       69.1       13.8       12.6  
Depreciation and amortization
    44       32       37.5       0.2       0.2  
                                         
Segment operating income
  $ 5,199     $ 4,341       19.8 %     18.9 %     24.2 %
                                         
 
The commercial segment sells high-quality premium whole bean and ground coffee to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and on-line customers. In addition, we sell our blended coffees and license our brand to Keurig, Inc. for sale and use in its K-Cup single serve line of business.
 
Sales
 
Sales increased $9.6 million, or 53.8%, to $27.6 million in fiscal 2009 from $17.9 million in fiscal 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to the incremental sales to new and existing customers, primarily grocery stores and Keurig, Inc.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs.  Cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased $7.2 million, or 63.9%, to $18.5 million in fiscal year 2009, from $11.3 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of total net


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sales, cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased to 67.1% in fiscal year 2009, from 63.0% in fiscal year 2008. The increase was primarily due to incremental sales to new and existing grocery customers and higher levels of trade discounts to support the Caribou brand as we enter into new geographic markets.
 
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses increased $1.5 million, or 69.1%, to $3.8 million in fiscal year 2009, from $2.3 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses increased to 13.8% in fiscal year 2009 from 12.6% in fiscal year 2008. The increase in operating expenses was due to an increase in marketing expenses to build the Caribou Coffee brand in new geographic markets.
 
Franchise
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
          January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008     % Change     2010     2008  
    (In thousands)           As a% of franchise sales  
 
Sales
  $ 7,738     $ 6,880       12.5 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    4,344       3,768       15.3       56.1       54.8  
Operating expenses
    1,110       1,516       (26.8 )     14.3       22.0  
Opening expenses
    24       49       (51.0 )     0.3       0.7  
Depreciation and amortization
    5       (3 )     (266.7 )     0.1       0.0  
                                         
Segment operating income
  $ 2,255     $ 1,550       45.5 %     29.1 %     22.5 %
                                         
 
The franchise segment sells franchises and coffee related products to operate Caribou Coffee branded coffeehouses to domestic and international franchisees. As of January 3, 2010, there were 121 franchised coffeehouses in the U.S and international markets.
 
Sales
 
Sales increased $0.8 million or 12.5% to $7.7 million in fiscal 2009 from $6.9 in fiscal 2008. This increase is primarily attributable to franchise fees, royalties and product sales from the 28 new franchise coffeehouses opened during the year.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs.  Cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased $0.6 million, or 15.3%, to $4.3 million in fiscal year 2009, from $3.8 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales and related occupancy costs increased to 56.1% in fiscal year 2009, from 54.8% in fiscal year 2008. The increase in cost of sales and related occupancy costs as a percentage of sales was primarily due to the revenue mix, as product sales to our franchise partners became a larger percentage of total franchise sales.
 
Operating expenses.  Operating expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 26.8%, to $1.1 million in fiscal year 2009, from $1.5 million in fiscal year 2008. As a percentage of sales, operating expenses decreased to 14.3% in fiscal year 2009 from 22.0% in fiscal year 2008. The decrease in operating expenses as a percentage of sales was primarily due to leverage obtained on certain fixed segment expenses and a decrease in administrative support costs.
 
Unallocated Corporate
 
                                         
    Fiscal Year Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
          January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008     % Change     2010     2008  
    (In thousands)           As a% of total net sales  
 
General and administrative expenses
  $ 19,151     $ 19,581       2.2 %     7.3 %     7.7 %
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    (14 )     97       (114.5 )     0.0       0.1  
                                         
Operating loss
  $ (19,137 )   $ (19,678 )     (2.7 )%     (7.3 )%     (7.8 )%
                                         


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General and administrative expenses.  Unallocated general and administrative expenses decreased $0.4 million, or 2.2%, to $19.1 million in fiscal year 2009 from $19.6 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of total net sales, unallocated general and administrative expenses decreased to 7.3% of total net sales in fiscal year 2009, from 7.7% of total net sales in fiscal year 2008. The decrease is primarily due to severance costs incurred in fiscal year 2008 resulting from management changes as well as cost efficiencies realized during fiscal year 2009 from realigning corporate administrative functional resources while investing in marketing and product management resources.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash and cash equivalents as of January 3, 2010 were $23.6 million, compared to cash and cash equivalents of $11.1 million as of December 28, 2008. Our principal requirements for cash are capital expenditures, coffeehouse closing costs and funding operations. Capital expenditures include the development costs related to the opening of new coffeehouses, maintenance and remodeling of existing coffeehouses, general and administrative expenditures for items like management information systems and costs for expanding production capacity to meet the growth demands of our business. Coffeehouse closing costs include the cost of exiting a coffeehouse location including costs to remove equipment and signage and lease termination costs. Currently, our requirements for capital have been funded through cash flow from operations.
 
For fiscal years 2009 and 2008, we generated cash flow from operating activities of $15.6 million and $7.0 million, respectively. The increase in the amount of cash provided by operating activities during fiscal year 2009 was the result of higher EBITDA during fiscal year 2009 offset by an increase in of $1.6 million in our working capital needs predominately to fund the growth in our commercial business.
 
A portion of our cash flow generated from operating activities in each of the last two fiscal years has been invested in capital expenditures. Total capital expenditures for fiscal 2009, were $3.0 million, compared to capital expenditures of $5.9 million for fiscal 2008. We did not open any new company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2009. We opened 7 new company-operated coffeehouses in fiscal year 2008.
 
Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.1 million for fiscal 2009 compared to $0.3 million used by financing activities for fiscal 2008. As of fiscal year end 2009, we had $9.0 million available under our revolving credit facility and no amount outstanding.
 
On February 19, 2010, the Company entered into a new three year credit facility. The amount available under the new agreement is $25.0 million, consisting of $15.0 million immediately available and an option to increase the amount available by an additional $10.0 million under terms to be mutually agreed. Interest payable under the new revolving credit facility is equal to the amount outstanding under the facility multiplied by the applicable LIBOR rate plus a specified margin.
 
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $10 million of its outstanding ordinary shares. Stock purchases may be made from time to time in open market transactions depending upon market conditions. The Company anticipates funding any repurchase of shares with available cash on hand.
 
Our capital requirements include capital expenditures and funding operations. Capital expenditures include the development costs related to the opening of new coffeehouses, maintenance and remodeling of existing coffeehouses, general and administrative expenditures for items like management information systems and costs for expanding production capacity to meet growth objectives. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including the pace of our retail coffeehouse expansion, growth in our commercial segment and overall company operating performance. We expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2010 to be in the range of $15.0 to $20.0 million. We believe that our current liquidity and cash flow from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to fund our operations for at least 12 months.
 
New Accounting Standards
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) became the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. The historical GAAP hierarchy was eliminated and the ASC became the only level of authoritative GAAP, other than guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our accounting policies


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were not affected by the conversion to ASC. However, references to specific accounting standards in the footnotes to our consolidated financial statements have been changed to refer to the appropriate section of ASC.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued accounting guidance which defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. On December 31, 2007, we adopted these accounting rules for financial assets and liabilities. We adopted the provisions related to non-financial assets and liabilities on December 29, 2008. The adoption of these accounting rules did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance establishing new standards that govern the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in partially owned subsidiaries. We adopted these accounting rules on December 29, 2008 and has accordingly retroactively applied the presentation and disclosure requirements for the existing noncontrolling interest for all periods presented.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued revised guidance requiring enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. We adopted these accounting rules on December 29, 2008. See Note 5 for the new disclosures.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, this standard sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This new accounting rule is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ended after June 15, 2009. We adopted this standard effective June 28, 2009. Our subsequent events disclosures are included in our Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Note 20.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance which amends certain ASC concepts related to consolidation of variable interest entities. Among other accounting and disclosure requirements, this guidance replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity. We will adopt this guidance in its first annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 4, 2010. We have not determined the impact that this guidance may have on its financial statements.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We lease retail coffeehouses, roasting and distribution facilities and office space under operating leases expiring through March 2021. Most lease agreements contain renewal options and rent escalation clauses. Certain leases provide for contingent rentals based upon gross sales. The average remaining lease lives in our leased real estate portfolio is less than five years and the aggregate minimum future rental payments under these agreements as of January 3, 2010 are approximately $101 million.
 
At January 3, 2010 we had fixed price inventory purchase commitments, primarily for green coffee, aggregating approximately $15.1 million. These commitments are for less than one year.
 
Inflation
 
The primary inflationary factors affecting our business are costs associated with coffee beans, dairy, freight, paper products, real estate and labor costs. Many of our leases require us to pay taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and utilities, all of which are generally subject to inflationary increases. We believe that inflation has not had a material impact on our results of operations in recent years.
 
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates (A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited) (the Company) as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates (A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited) as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
 
As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, in 2009 the Company changed its presentation of noncontrolling interests with the adoption of FASB statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment to ARB No. 51, (codified in FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 810, Consolidation) effective December 29, 2008.
 
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 26, 2010


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Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)
 
 
                 
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
    In thousands except
 
    per share data  
 
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,578     $ 11,060  
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3 and $72 at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively)
    5,887       5,311  
Other receivables (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $128 and $76 at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively)
    1,268       916  
Income tax receivable
    193       60  
Inventories
    13,278       10,218  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,546       881  
                 
Total current assets
    45,750       28,446  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
    47,135       60,312  
Restricted cash
    605       327  
Other assets
    237       487  
                 
Total assets
  $ 93,727     $ 89,572  
                 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 9,042     $ 8,229  
Accrued compensation
    6,296       6,241  
Accrued expenses
    7,563       8,317  
Deferred revenue
    8,747       9,473  
                 
Total current liabilities
    31,648       32,260  
Asset retirement liability
    1,120       1,035  
Deferred rent liability
    7,955       9,245  
Deferred revenue
    2,072       2,538  
Income tax liability
    156       486  
                 
Total long term liabilities
    11,303       13,304  
Commitments and contingencies
               
Equity:
               
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. Shareholders’ equity
               
Preferred stock, par value $.01, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
           
Common stock, par value $.01, 200,000 shares authorized; 19,814 and 19,371 shares issued and outstanding at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively
    198       194  
Additional paid-in capital
    126,770       125,222  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (7 )      
Accumulated deficit
    (76,341 )     (81,479 )
                 
Total Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. shareholders’ equity
    50,620       43,937  
Noncontrolling interest
    156       71  
                 
Total equity
    50,776       44,008  
                 
Total liabilities and equity
  $ 93,727     $ 89,572  
                 
 
See accompanying notes.


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Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
    In thousands except per share data  
 
Coffeehouse sales, net
  $ 227,224     $ 229,092  
Commercial and franchise sales, net
    35,315       24,807  
                 
Net sales
    262,539       253,899  
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs
    115,886       109,632  
Operating expenses
    99,498       100,309  
Opening expenses
    24       230  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,102       24,928  
General and administrative expenses
    27,145       29,145  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    343       5,113  
                 
Operating income (loss)
    5,541       (15,458 )
Other income (expense):
               
Interest income
    26       25  
Interest expense
    (261 )     (810 )
                 
Income (loss) before (benefit) provision for income taxes
    5,306       (16,243 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
    (246 )     36  
                 
Net income (loss)
    5,552       (16,279 )
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    414       63  
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
  $ 5,138     $ (16,342 )
                 
Net income (loss) per share:
               
Basic net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )
                 
Diluted net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )
                 
Basic weighted average number of shares outstanding
    19,443       19,371  
                 
Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding
    20,000       19,371  
                 
 
See accompanying notes.


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Table of Contents

Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
 
                                                         
                            Accumulated
             
    Common Stock     Additional
          Other
             
    Number of
          Paid-In
    Noncontrolling
    Comprehensive
    Accumulated
       
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Interest     Loss     Deficit     Equity  
    In thousands  
 
Balance, December 30, 2007
    19,371     $ 194     $ 124,232     $ 144     $     $ (65,137 )   $ 59,433  
Net income (loss)
                      63             (16,342 )     (16,279 )
Share based compensation
                753                         753  
Shareholder contribution
                237                         237  
Distribution of noncontrolling interest
                      (136 )                 (136 )
                                                         
Balance, December 28, 2008
    19,371       194       125,222       71             (81,479 )     44,008  
Net income
                      414             5,138       5,552  
Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments
                            (7 )           (7 )
                                                         
Comprehensive income
                                                  $ 5,545  
                                                         
Share based compensation
                1,049                         1,049  
Options exercised
    105       1       587                         588  
Restricted shares issued
    338       3       (3 )                        
Distribution of noncontrolling interest
                      (309 )                 (309 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
                (85 )     (20 )                 (105 )
                                                         
Balance, January 3, 2010
    19,814     $ 198     $ 126,770     $ 156     $ (7 )   $ (76,341 )   $ 50,776  
                                                         
 
See accompanying notes.


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Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
    In thousands  
 
Operating activities
               
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
  $ 5,138     $ (16,342 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    16,180       27,139  
Amortization of deferred financing fees
    141       459  
Noncontrolling interest
    414       63  
Provision for closing expense and asset disposals
    218       665  
Shareholder contribution
          237  
Stock-based compensation
    1,049       753  
Non cash accretion expense
    85       46  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable and other receivables
    (1,061 )     (1,461 )
Inventories
    (3,060 )     11  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (525 )     978  
Accounts payable
    813       (1,421 )
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    (2,606 )     (3,275 )
Deferred revenue
    (1,192 )     (831 )
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    15,594       7,021  
Investing activities
               
Payments for property and equipment
    (2,969 )     (5,933 )
Proceeds from the disposal of property
    28       253  
(Increase) Decrease in restricted cash
    (278 )     84  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (3,219 )     (5,596 )
Financing activities
               
Distribution of noncontrolling interest
    (309 )     (136 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest
    (105 )      
Issuance of common stock
    588        
Payment of debt financing fees
    (31 )     (115 )
Proceeds from short term borrowings
          3,000  
Repayments of short term borrowings
          (3,000 )
                 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
    143       (251 )
                 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    12,518       1,174  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
    11,060       9,886  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
  $ 23,578     $ 11,060  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
               
Cash paid (received) during the year for:
               
Interest
  $ 130     $ 351  
Income taxes
    225       (12 )
Accrual for leasehold improvements, furniture, and equipment
  $ 81     $ 4  
 
See accompanying notes.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1.   Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
Description of Business
 
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Affiliates (“Caribou” or the “Company”) is a specialty retailer of high-quality coffees, teas, bakery goods, and related merchandise. The Company is a majority-owned subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited. As of January 3, 2010, the Company had 534 coffeehouses, including 121 franchised locations, located in Minnesota, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Wisconsin, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Indiana, Nebraska, Washington, D.C and international markets.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., affiliates that it controls and a third party finance company (which exists for purposes of the Company’s revolving credit facility) where the Company is the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity. The affiliates are Caribou MSP Airport, a partnership in which the Company owns a 49% interest and that operates six coffeehouses, and Caribou Coffee Development Company, Inc., a licensor of Caribou Coffee branded coffeehouses. The Company controls the daily operations of Caribou Coffee Development Company, Inc. and accordingly consolidates their results of operations. The Company provided a loan to its partner in Caribou MSP Airport for all of the partner’s equity contribution to the venture. Consequently, the Company bears all the risk of loss but does not control all decisions that may have a significant effect on the success of the venture. Therefore, the Company consolidates the Caribou MSP Airport, as it is the primary beneficiary in this variable interest entity. Prior to December 31, 2008, the Company owned a 50% interest in Caribou Ventures, L.L.C (“Ventures”), a partnership that operated one coffeehouse. On December 31, 2008, the Company purchased the outstanding 50% interest in Ventures for $0.1 million. Prior to December 31, 2008, because the Company controlled the daily operations of Ventures, the results of operations were consolidated. All material intercompany balances and transactions between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Caribou Ventures, L.L.C., Caribou MSP Airport, Caribou Coffee Development Company, Inc. and the third party finance company have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements.
 
Fiscal Year End
 
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to December 31. Fiscal years 2009 and 2008 include 53 and 52 weeks, respectively.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
 
The fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, approximate their carrying values. The Company places its cash with high quality FDIC-insured financial institutions. Credit losses have not been significant.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Inventories
 
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
 
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment is stated on the basis of cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company capitalizes direct costs associated with the site selection and construction of new coffeehouses, including direct internal payroll and payroll related costs. The Company did not have any of these capitalized costs during the year ended January 3, 2010 and capitalized approximately $0.2 million of such costs during the year ended December 28, 2008. These costs are amortized over the lease terms of the underlying leases. Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives of two to 20 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related initial lease term, excluding renewal option terms, which is generally five to ten years, unless it is reasonably assured that the renewal option term is going to be exercised.
 
The Company has certain asset retirement obligations, primarily associated with leasehold improvements, whereby at the end of a lease, the Company is contractually obligated to remove such leasehold improvements in order to comply with the lease agreement. At the inception of a lease with such conditions, the Company records an asset retirement obligation liability and a corresponding capital asset in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the obligation. The liability is estimated based on a number of assumptions requiring management’s judgment, including store closing costs and discount rates, and is accreted to its projected future value over time. The capitalized asset is depreciated using the estimated useful life for depreciation of leasehold improvement assets. Upon satisfaction of the asset retirement obligation conditions, any difference between the recorded asset retirement obligation liability and the actual retirement costs incurred is recognized as an operating gain or loss in the Company’s financial statements in the period incurred.
 
Total asset retirement obligation expense in fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008 was less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, and is included in costs of sales and related occupancy costs and depreciation and amortization. As of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, the Company’s net asset retirement obligation asset included in property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, was $0.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively, while the Company’s net asset retirement obligation liability included in asset retirement liability was $1.1 million and $1.0 million, respectively.
 
Deferred Financing Fees
 
The Company capitalized the costs incurred in acquiring its revolving credit facility and included the costs as a component of other assets. The costs are being amortized over the life of the agreement on a straight-line basis.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of
 
The Company reviews long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
 
Stock Compensation
 
The Company maintains stock option plans, which provide for the granting of non-qualified stock options to officers and key employees and certain non-employees. Stock options have been granted at exercise prices equal to


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the dates of grant. Options vest generally over four years and expire ten years from the grant date.
 
The Company recognizes expense related to the fair value of our stock-based compensation awards. The estimated grant date fair value of each stock-based award is recognized in income on a straight line basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of stock options are calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The estimated fair value of restricted stock is calculated using the trading value of the underlying stock on the date of the grant. Stock-based compensation expense for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, totaled approximately $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
Coffeehouse Preopening and Closing Expenses
 
Costs incurred in connection with start-up and promotion of new coffeehouse openings are expensed as incurred. When a coffeehouse is closed, the remaining carrying amount of property and equipment, net of expected recovery value, is charged to operations. For coffeehouses under operating lease agreements, the estimated liability under the lease is also accrued.
 
Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes retail coffeehouse sales for products and services when payment is tendered at the point of sale. Sales tax collected from customers is presented net of amounts expected to be remitted to various tax jurisdictions. Accordingly, sales taxes have no effect on the Company’s reported net sales in the accompanying statements of operations.
 
Revenue from the sale of products to commercial, franchise or on-line customers is recognized when ownership and price risk of the products are legally transferred to the customer, which is generally upon the shipment of goods. Revenues include any applicable shipping and handling costs invoiced to the customer, and the expense of such shipping and handling costs is included in cost of sales.
 
The Company sells stored value cards of various denominations. Cash receipts related to stored value card sales are deferred when initially received and revenue is recognized when the card is redeemed and the related products are delivered to the customer. Such amounts are classified as a current liability on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company will honor all stored value cards presented for payment; however, the Company has determined that the likelihood of redemption is remote for certain card balances due to long periods of inactivity. In these circumstances, to the extent management determines there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, card and certificate balances may be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company uses the redemption recognition method and recognizes the estimated value of abandoned cards as a percentage of every stored value card redeemed and includes the amount in coffeehouse sales. Such amounts represent the Company’s experience regarding unused balances related to stored value cards redeemed. The Company excludes stored value card balances sold in jurisdictions which require remittance of unused balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws.
 
Territory development fees and initial franchise fees are recognized upon substantial performance of services for a new territory or coffeehouse, which is generally upon the opening of a new coffeehouse. Royalties based upon a percentage of reported sales are recognized on a monthly basis when earned. Cash payments received in advance for territory development fees or initial franchise fees are recorded as deferred revenue until earned.
 
All revenues are recognized net of any discounts, returns, allowances and sales incentives, including coupon redemptions and rebates. The Company periodically participates in trade-promotion programs such as shelf price reductions and consumer coupon programs that require the Company to estimate and accrue the expected cost of such programs. Coupons are recognized as a liability when distributed based upon expected consumer redemptions.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The Company maintains liabilities based on historical experience and management’s judgment at the end of each period for the estimate expenses incurred, but unpaid for these programs.
 
Advertising
 
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Production costs for radio and television advertising are expensed when the commercials are initially aired. Advertising expenses aggregated approximately $8.3 million and $5.6 million, for the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively.
 
Operating Leases and Rent Expense
 
Certain of the Company’s lease agreements provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease term or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term and renewal periods that are reasonably assured. The difference between rent expense and rent paid is recorded as deferred rent and is included in “accrued expenses” and “deferred rent liability” in the consolidated balance sheets. Contingent rents, including those based on a percentage of retail sales over stated levels, and rental payment increases based on a contingent future event are accrued over the respective contingency periods when the achievement of such targets or events are deemed to be probable by the Company.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
Though the validity of any tax position is a matter of tax law, the body of statutory, regulatory and interpretive guidance on the application of the law is complex and often ambiguous. Because of this, whether a tax position will ultimately be sustained may be uncertain. The Company’s recognition of an uncertain tax position is dependent on whether or not that position is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. If an uncertain tax position is more likely than not of being sustained, the position must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.
 
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
 
Basic net income (loss) per share was computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted net income (loss) per share was computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the impact of potentially dilutive shares, if any.
 
2.   Impairments, Coffeehouse Closings and Asset Disposals
 
Based on an operating cash flow analysis performed throughout the year combined with operational judgment on the future potential of individual coffeehouses, the Company commits to a plan to close unprofitable coffeehouses. If the coffeehouse assets are deemed to be impaired, the Company records a charge to reduce the carrying value of the property and equipment to estimated fair value. There were no impairment charges taken in fiscal year 2009. In fiscal year 2008 the Company recorded depreciation expense of $7.5 million for the impairment of 37 coffeehouses.
 
Upon closing of the coffeehouses, the Company will accrue for estimated lease commitments and other expenses associated with the closings. The Company also writes off the carrying value of property and equipment


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
that is abandoned or disposed of in connection with coffeehouse remodels, coffeehouse relocations or general property and equipment impairment.
 
Closing and disposal charges consist of the following (in thousands, except coffeehouse numbers):
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Coffeehouse closures
    1       25  
                 
Amount charged to operations for closed coffeehouses:
               
Lease costs associated with lease termination cash impact
  $ 125     $ 4,448  
Lease reserve — non cash impact
    202       (175 )
Net book value of closed coffeehouse property and equipment
    16       840  
                 
Coffeehouse closing expense and disposal of assets
  $ 343     $ 5,113  
                 
 
A summary of the activity in the lease exit accrual and management severance accrual is as follows (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Balance at
    Additions
             
    Beginning of
    Charged to
    Deductions
    Balance at
 
Year Ended:
  Year     Expense     From Reserves     End of Year  
 
January 3, 2010
                               
Exit costs
  $ 222     $ 327     $ 96     $ 453  
Severance
    716             716        
                                 
Total
  $ 938     $ 299     $ 784     $ 453  
                                 
December 28, 2008
                               
Exit costs
  $ 467     $ 4,273     $ 4,518     $ 222  
Severance
    1,353       1,780       2,417       716  
                                 
Total
  $ 1,820     $ 3,004     $ 3,886     $ 938  
                                 
 
The Company completed a reorganization of general and administrative departments and eliminated some positions during fiscal year 2008. The severance costs related to these actions was $1.8 million and was included in general and administrative expense. All related severance amounts were paid in fiscal 2009. In 2007, the Company’s CEO resigned his position and received a lump sum severance benefit of $1.4 million which was paid in fiscal 2008.
 
3.   Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Effective July 1, 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) became the single official source of authoritative, nongovernmental generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States. The historical GAAP hierarchy was eliminated and the ASC became the only level of authoritative GAAP, other than guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Our accounting policies were not affected by the conversion to ASC. However, references to specific accounting standards in the footnotes to our consolidated financial statements have been changed to refer to the appropriate section of ASC.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued accounting guidance which defines fair value, provides guidance for measuring fair value in GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. On December 31, 2007, the Company adopted these accounting rules for financial assets and liabilities. The Company adopted the provisions related to non-financial assets and liabilities on December 29, 2008. The adoption of these accounting rules did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statement of operations, cash flows or financial position.
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued guidance establishing new standards that govern the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in partially owned subsidiaries. The Company adopted these accounting rules on December 29, 2008 and has accordingly retroactively applied the presentation and disclosure requirements for the existing noncontrolling interest for all periods presented.
 
In March 2008, the FASB issued revised guidance requiring enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company adopted these accounting rules on December 29, 2008. See Note 5 for the new disclosures.
 
In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, this standard sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. This new accounting rule is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ended after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this standard effective June 28, 2009. See Note 9 for subsequent event disclosure.
 
In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance which amends certain ASC concepts related to consolidation of variable interest entities. Among other accounting and disclosure requirements, this guidance replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with an approach focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity. The Company will adopt this guidance in its first annual and interim reporting periods beginning January 4, 2010. The Company has not determined the impact that this guidance may have on its financial statements.
 
4.   Restricted Cash
 
At January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, cash of $0.6 million and $0.3 million, respectively, was pledged as collateral on outstanding letters of credit related to lease commitments and was classified as restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
5.   Derivative Financial Instruments
 
The Company evaluates various strategies in managing its exposure to market-based risks, such as entering into hedging transactions to manage its exposure to fluctuating dairy commodity prices.
 
The Company records all derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. For those cash flow hedges that have been designated and qualify as an effective accounting hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) and subsequently reclassified into net earnings when the hedged exposure affects net income. For those cash flow hedges that are not designated or do not qualify as an effective accounting hedge, the entire derivative gain or loss is recorded in earnings as incurred.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
As of January 3, 2010, the Company had accumulated net derivative losses of $7 thousand in other comprehensive income, all of which pertains to hedging instruments that will be realized within 12 months and will also continue to experience fair value changes before affecting earnings. Based on notional amounts, as of January 3, 2010, the Company had dairy commodity futures contracts representing approximately 348 thousand gallons. The Company’s cash flow derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features. At January 3, 2010, the Company, in the normal course of business, has not posted any collateral related to these contingent features.
 
The following table presents the fair values of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 (in thousands):
 
                     
        Fair Value
    Fair Value
 
        January 3, 2010     December 28, 2008  
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
               
Contract Type
  Balance Sheet Location                
Cash flow commodity hedges
  Accrued expenses   $ 7     $  
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
               
Contract Type
  Balance Sheet Location                
Cash flow commodity hedges
  Accrued expenses           303  
                     
Total derivatives
      $ 7     $ 303  
                     
 
The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements for the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI   Gain/(Loss) Reclassified into Earnings
    January 3,
  December 28,
  January 3,
  December 28,
Contract type
  2010   2008   2010   2008
 
Cash flow commodity hedges(1)
  $ (72 )   $     $ (65 )   $  
 
 
(1) There was no material ineffectiveness during the periods presented
 
During the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, the Company recognized $0.2 million and $0.3 million in losses, respectively, related to commodity hedges not designated as hedging instruments. The recognized losses related to commodity hedges not designated as hedging instruments and commodity hedges designated as hedging instruments are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as costs of goods sold and related occupancy expenses.
 
6.   Fair Value Measurements
 
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
 
  •  Level 1:  Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
  •  Level 2:  Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
 
  •  Level 3:  Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.
 
The following table presents the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of January 3, 2010 (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Total
           
    January 3, 2010   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 23,578     $ 23,578     $     $  
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
  $ 7     $ 7     $     $  
 
The following table presents the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 28, 2008 (in thousands):
 
                                 
    Total
           
    December 28, 2008   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3
 
Assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 11,060     $ 11,060     $     $  
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
  $ 303     $ 303     $     $  
 
Cash and cash equivalents include cash held at FDIC-insured financial institutions and highly liquid money market funds. The fair value of cash equivalents is determined using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, thus they are considered to be Level 1 instruments.
 
Derivative assets consist of commodity futures contracts. Where applicable, the Company uses quoted prices in an active market for identical derivative assets and liabilities that are traded in exchanges. These derivative liabilities are included in Level 1.
 
7.   Inventories
 
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Coffee
  $ 5,615     $ 4,652  
Merchandise held for sale
    4,029       2,843  
Supplies
    3,634       2,723  
                 
    $ 13,278     $ 10,218  
                 
 
At January 3, 2010 the Company had fixed price inventory purchase commitments, primarily for green coffee, aggregating approximately $15.1 million. These commitments are for less than one year.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
8.   Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Leasehold improvements
  $ 87,515     $ 87,499  
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
    112,661       110,724  
                 
      200,176       198,223  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (153,041 )     (137,911 )
                 
    $ 47,135     $ 60,312  
                 
 
Depreciation expense on furniture, fixtures and equipment and amortization expense on leasehold improvements totaled $16.2 million and $27.1 million for the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively, of which $1.0 million, is included in cost of sales and related occupancy costs for both years and $1.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively, are included in general and administrative expense on the Company’s statements of operations.
 
9.   Revolving Credit Facility
 
The Company maintains a sale leaseback arrangement with a third party finance company whereby from time to time the Company sells equipment to the finance company, and, immediately following the sale, it leases back all of the equipment it sold to such third party. The Company does not recognize any gain or loss on the sale of the assets. The maximum amount of equipment the Company can sell and leaseback is $9.0 million and the expiration of the agreement is June 30, 2010. Annual rent payable under the lease arrangement is equal to the amount outstanding under the lease financing arrangement multiplied by the applicable Federal Funds effective rate plus a specified margin or the lenders prime rate plus a specified margin.
 
The finance company funds its obligations under the lease financing arrangement through a revolving credit facility that it entered into with a commercial lender. The terms of the revolving credit facility are economically equivalent to the lease financing arrangement such that the amount of rent payments and unpaid acquisition costs under the lease financing arrangement are at all times equal to the interest and principal under the revolving credit facility. The Company consolidates the third party finance company as the Company is the primary beneficiary in a variable interest entity due to the terms and provisions of the lease financing arrangement. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated balance sheets include all assets and liabilities of the third party finance company under the captions property and equipment and revolving credit facility, respectively. The Company’s consolidated statements of operations include all the operations of the finance company including all interest expense related to the revolving credit facility. Notwithstanding this presentation, the Company’s obligations are limited to its obligations under the lease financing arrangement and the Company has no obligations under the revolving credit facility. The third party finance company was established solely for the purpose of facilitating the Company’s sale leaseback arrangement. The finance company does not have any other assets or liabilities or income and expense other than those associated with the revolving credit facility. At January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, there was no property and equipment leased under this arrangement. The lease financing arrangement has been structured to be consistent with Shari’ah principles.
 
The terms of the sale leaseback agreement contain certain financial covenants and limitations on the amount used for expansion activities based on EBITDA, leverage ratios, and interest coverage ratios of the Company. The Company is liable for a commitment fee on any unused portion of the facility. The unused portion of the facility aggregated $9.0 million at January 3, 2010. The commitment fee varies between 0.375% to 0.5% based on outstanding borrowing and financial covenants.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
Unamortized deferred financing fees capitalized on the balance sheet totaled less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively. Amortization expense on deferred financing fees totaled $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively.
 
On February 19, 2010, the Company entered into a new three year credit facility, structured similarly to the Shari’ah compliant facility described above. The amount available under the new agreement is $25.0 million, consisting of $15.0 million immediately available and an option to increase the amount available by an additional $10.0 million under terms to be mutually agreed. Interest payable under the new revolving credit facility is equal to the amount outstanding under the facility multiplied by the applicable LIBOR rate plus a specified margin.
 
10.   Equity and Stock Based Compensation
 
The Company maintains stock compensation plans which provide for the granting of non-qualified stock options and restricted stock to officers and key employees and certain non-employees. Stock options have been granted at prices equal to the fair market values as of the dates of grant. Options vest generally in four years and expire in ten years from the grant date. Upon the exercise of an option, new shares of stock are issued by the Company. The Company’s share-based compensation expense for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, were $1.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
The Company receives a tax deduction for certain stock option exercises during the period the options are exercised, generally for the excess of the price at which the stock is sold over the exercise price of the options. The Company reports excess tax benefits from the award of equity instruments as financing cash flows in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows when a deduction reported for tax return purposes for an award of equity instruments exceeds the cumulative compensation cost for the instruments recognized for financial reporting purposes.
 
The per share weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during the years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 was $1.19 and $1.10, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate fair value of share-based awards with the following weighted average assumptions:
 
         
    Years Ended
    January 3,
  December 28,
    2010   2008
 
Expected dividend yield
  0%   0%
Weighted average risk free interest rate
  1.91%   2.95%
Expected life
  5 years   5 years
Volatility
  61%-65%   31%-59%
 
The Company uses historical information to estimate the volatility of its share price and employee terminations in its valuation model. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term of options granted is estimated based on historical exercise behavior and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.
 
At January 3, 2010, there was $1.0 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
Stock option activity during the years indicated is as follows (in thousands, except per share and life data):
 
                         
          Weighted
    Weighted
 
    Number of
    Average
    Average
 
Options Outstanding
  Shares     Exercise Price     Contract Life  
 
Outstanding, December 30, 2007
    2,571     $ 7.46       6.47Yrs  
Granted
    1,236     $ 2.29          
Exercised
                     
Forfeited
    (1,356 )   $ 6.90          
                         
Outstanding, December 28, 2008
    2,451     $ 5.16       7.89 Yrs  
                         
Granted
    10     $ 2.22          
Exercised
    (105 )   $ 5.59          
Forfeited
    (660 )   $ 7.67          
                         
Outstanding, January 3, 2010
    1,696     $ 4.27       7.54 Yrs  
                         
Options vested and expected to vest at January 3, 2010
    1,696     $ 4.27       7.54 Yrs  
                         
Options vested at January 3, 2010
    778     $ 6.04       6.42 Yrs  
                         
 
Options granted to employees are exercisable according to the terms of each agreement, usually four years. At January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, 0.8 million options outstanding were exercisable with weighted average exercise prices of $6.04 and $7.67, respectively. At January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, 2.6 million and 2.8 million shares, respectively, of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance related to stock options and restricted stock awards. During the fiscal year ended January 3, 2010, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $0.2 million and the gross amount of proceeds the Company received from the exercise of stock options was $0.6 million. During the fiscal year ended December 28, 2008 no stock options were exercised. During the fiscal years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, the total fair value of options vested was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively.
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at January 3, 2010 (in thousands, except per share and life data):
 
                                         
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
    Number of
    Weighted Average
    Weighted
    Number of
    Weighted
 
    Options
    Remaining
    Average
    Options
    Average
 
Range of Exercise Prices
  Outstanding     Contractual Life     Exercise Price     Exercisable     Exercise Price  
 
$ 1.06 - $ 4.08
    1,097       8.63 years     $ 2.23       274     $ 2.24  
$ 4.09 - $ 6.56
    88       4.79 years     $ 5.82       64     $ 5.75  
$ 6.57 - $ 9.04
    393       5.60 years     $ 7.46       325     $ 7.37  
$ 9.05 - $11.52
    73       5.70 years     $ 9.82       70     $ 9.84  
$11.53 - $14.00
    45       5.75 years     $ 14.00       45     $ 14.00  
                                         
Total
    1,696       7.54 years     $ 4.27       778     $ 6.04  
                                         
 
Restricted stock activity during the year is as follows (in thousands, except per share and life data):
 
                 
          Weighted
 
          Average
 
Non-vested shares outstanding
  Shares     Fair Value  
 
Balance, December 28, 2008
    150     $ 2.86  
Granted
    188     $ 7.60  
Vested
    (38 )   $ 2.86  
                 
Balance January 3, 2010
    300     $ 5.83  
                 


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
Restricted stock awards granted to employees vest according to the terms of each agreement, usually four years. At January 3, 2010, there was $1.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested restricted shares granted to employees. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.5 years. The total fair value of the shares vested during the year ended January 3, 2010 was $0.1 million.
 
11.   Leasing Arrangements and Commitments
 
The Company leases retail coffeehouses, roasting and distribution facilities and office space under operating leases expiring through March 2021. Most lease agreements contain renewal options and rent escalation clauses. Certain leases provide for contingent rentals based upon gross sales.
 
Rental expense under these lease agreements, excluding real estate taxes, common area charges and insurance, was as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Minimum rentals
  $ 19,678     $ 25,327  
Contingent rentals
    1,837       2,029  
                 
      21,515       27,356  
Less sublease rentals
    (546 )     (729 )
                 
    $ 20,969     $ 26,627  
                 
 
Minimum future rental payments under these agreements as of January 3, 2010 are as follows (in thousands):
 
         
2010
  $ 20,555  
2011
    18,783  
2012
    16,601  
2013
    14,129  
2014
    11,299  
Thereafter
    19,632  
         
    $ 100,999  
         
 
Total future minimum sublease rental income is $2.0 million.
 
12.   Income Taxes
 
The (benefit) provision for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
U.S. Federal
  $ (286 )   $  
State
    40       36  
                 
    $ (246 )   $ 36  
                 


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
A reconciliation of the differences between income taxes computed at the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the Company’s income tax (benefit) provision is as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Years Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Tax at U.S. Federal statutory rate
  $ 1,663     $ (5,549 )
Tax at blended State statutory rate net of federal benefit
    304       (794 )
Permanent differences
    32       30  
Changes in valuation allowance
    (2,449 )     6,378  
Decrease to reserve for tax contingencies
    (330 )     (42 )
Deferred tax adjustment
    519        
Other, net
    15       13  
                 
    $ (246 )   $ 36  
                 
 
Net operating loss carryforwards totaled $30.4 million at January 3, 2010. The net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2023, if not utilized. Additional equity offerings or certain changes in control in future years may further limit the Company’s ability to utilize carryforwards. After consideration of all the evidence, both positive and negative, management has recorded a valuation allowance against its deferred income tax assets at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred income tax assets.
 
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for income taxes. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the Company’s deferred income tax assets (liabilities) are as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Depreciation
  $ 11,676     $ 9,985  
Deferred rent on leases
    (452 )     (180 )
Net operating loss carryforwards
    11,871       15,043  
Coffeehouse closing and asset reserves
    154       75  
Accrued expenses
    1,722       2,316  
Deferred revenue
    1,232       1,350  
Other
    610       1,018  
State deferred (excluding state loss carryforwards)
    2,641       2,296  
                 
Gross deferred income tax assets
    29,454       31,903  
Less deferred income tax asset valuation allowance
    (29,454 )     (31,903 )
                 
Net deferred income tax assets
  $     $  
                 
 
At January 3, 2010, the Company had $2.9 million of total unrecognized tax benefits, of which $0.2 million, if recognized, could have a favorable impact on the effective income tax rate in future periods. This determination could be affected if the Company were to change its position with respect to recognizing income tax benefits for


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
future deductions. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008 was as follows (in thousands):
 
                 
    Year Ended  
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Beginning balance
  $ 3,238     $ 3,401  
Current year positions
          43  
Expiration of statute of limitations
    (377 )     (206 )
                 
Ending balance
  $ 2,861     $ 3,238  
                 
 
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
 
The Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to the timing of certain occupancy deductions could decrease in the range of $0.1 million to $0.2 million during the next 12 months due to the closure of tax years by expiration of the statute of limitations.
 
For federal purposes, tax years prior to 2003 are closed for assessment purposes; however, the years remain open to examination as a result of net operating losses being generated and carried forward into future years. Tax years in which a net operating loss was generated will remain open for examination until the statute of limitations will close on tax years utilizing net operating loss carryforward to reduce the tax due. Generally, the statute of limitations will close on tax years utilizing net operating loss carryforwards three years subsequent to the utilization of net operating losses. For state purposes, the statute of limitations remains open in a similar manner for states where the Company generated net operating losses.
 
13.   Related Party Transactions
 
During fiscal year 2008 the Company’s majority shareholder contributed management consulting and research services with a value of $0.2 million. Since the Company was the primary beneficiary of these services, it included the amount in general and administrative expense and recorded a corresponding increase to additional paid-in capital.
 
14.   Employee Benefit Plan
 
The Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan for substantially all employees. Amounts expensed for company contributions to the plan aggregated approximately $0.1 million for the year ended January 3, 2010. The Company did not make a contribution for the year ended December 28, 2008.
 
15.   Master Franchise Agreement
 
In November 2004, the Company entered into a Master Franchise Agreement with a franchisee. The agreement provides the franchisee the right to develop, subfranchise or operate 250 Caribou Coffee coffeehouses in 12 Middle Eastern countries. The Agreement expires in November 2012 and provides for certain renewal options.
 
In connection with the agreement, the franchisee paid the Company a nonrefundable deposit aggregating $3.3 million. In addition to the deposit, the franchisee is obligated to pay the Company $20 thousand per franchised/subfranchised coffeehouse (initial franchise fee) opened for the first 100 Caribou Coffee Coffeehouses and $15 thousand for each additional franchised/subfranchised coffeehouse opened (after the first 100). The agreement provides for $5 thousand of the initial deposit received by the Company to be applied against the initial franchise fee as discussed herein. Monthly royalty payments ranging from 3%-5% of gross sales are also due to the Company.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The Company included $2.0 million and $2.3 million of the deposit related to this agreement in long term liabilities as deferred revenue and $0.5 million and $0.3 million in current liabilities as deferred revenue as of January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, respectively. The current portion of deferred revenue represents the franchise fees for the coffeehouses estimated to be opened during the subsequent twelve months per the development schedule in the Master Franchise Agreement. The initial deposit will be amortized into income on a pro rata basis along with the initial franchise fee payments received in connection with the execution of the franchise or subfranchise agreements at the time of the coffeehouse opening. At January 3, 2010, there were 64 coffeehouses operating under this Agreement. The franchisee and certain owners of the franchisee also own indirect interests in Caribou Holding Company Limited.
 
The Company deferred certain costs in connection with the Master Franchise Agreement of which $0.1 million were included other assets at January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008. These costs include the direct costs for training franchisees, establishing a logistics and distribution network to supply product to franchisees, related travel and legal costs. These costs are direct one-time charges incurred by the Company associated with the start up of the Master Franchise Agreement. These costs will be deferred until the related revenue is recognized when the coffeehouse is opened.
 
16.   Net Income (loss) Per Share
 
Basic and diluted net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. common shareholders per share for years ended January 3, 2010 and December 28, 2008, were as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
 
                 
    January 3,
    December 28,
 
    2010     2008  
 
Net income (loss) attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
  $ 5,138     $ (16,342 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic
    19,443       19,371  
Dilutive impact of stock-based compensation
    557        
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding — dilutive
    20,000       19,371  
                 
Basic net income (loss) per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )
Diluted net income (loss) per share
  $ 0.26     $ (0.84 )
 
For fiscal 2009 and 2008, 0.6 million and 2.4 million stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of shares applicable to diluted net income (loss) per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
 
17.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
On July 26, 2005, three of the Company’s former employees filed a lawsuit against us in the State of Minnesota District Court for Hennepin County seeking monetary and equitable relief from us under the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act, or the Minnesota FLSA, the federal FLSA and state common law. The suit primarily alleged that the Company misclassified its retail coffeehouse managers as exempt from the overtime provisions of the Minnesota FLSA and the federal FLSA and that these managers are therefore entitled to overtime compensation for each week in which they worked more than 40 hours from May 2002 to the present with respect to the claims under the federal FLSA and for weeks in which they worked more than 48 hours from May 2003 to the present with respect to the claims under the Minnesota FLSA. Plaintiffs sought payment of allegedly owed and unpaid overtime compensation, liquidated damages, interest and among other things, attorney’s fees and costs.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
On February 1, 2008, the Company entered into a Stipulation of Settlement (the “Stipulation”) to settle the lawsuit. The Stipulation provides for a gross settlement payment of $2.7 million, plus the employer’s share of payroll taxes. A partial settlement payment of $1.8 million was made in the first quarter of 2008 and the final settlement payment of $1.0 million was made in the first quarter of 2009.
 
In addition, from time to time, the Company becomes involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that any such ordinary course legal proceedings to which it is currently a party will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
 
18.   Segment Reporting
 
Segment information is prepared on the same basis that the Company’s management reviews financial information for decision making purposes. We have three reportable operating segments: retail, commercial and franchise. “Unallocated corporate” includes expenses pertaining to corporate administrative functions that support the operating segments but are not specifically attributable to or managed by any segment and are not included in the reported financial results of the operating segments. All of the segment sales are from external customers.
 
Retail Coffeehouses
 
The Company’s retail segment represents 86.5% and 90.2% of total net sales for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The retail segment operated 413 company-operated coffeehouses located in 16 states and the District of Columbia as of January 3, 2010. The coffeehouses offer customers high-quality premium coffee and espresso-based beverages, and also offer specialty teas, baked goods, whole bean coffee, branded merchandise and related products.
 
Commercial
 
The Company’s commercial segment represents 10.5% and 7.1% of total net sales for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The commercial segment sells high-quality premium whole bean and ground coffee to grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, office coffee and foodservice providers, hotels, entertainment venues and on-line customers.
 
Franchise
 
The Company’s franchise segment represents 2.9% and 2.7% of total net sales for fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The franchise segment sells franchises to operate Caribou Coffee branded coffeehouses to domestic and international franchisees. As of January 3, 2010, there were 121 franchised coffeehouses in U.S and international markets.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
The tables below presents information by operating segment for the fiscal years noted (in thousands):
 
Fiscal 2009
 
                                         
                      Unallocated
       
    Retail     Commercial     Franchise     Corporate     Total  
 
Net sales
  $ 227,224     $ 27,577     $ 7,738     $     $ 262,539  
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    93,027       18,515       4,344             115,886  
Operating expenses
    94,569       3,819       1,110             99,498  
Opening expenses
                24             24  
Depreciation and amortization
    14,053       44       5             14,102  
General and administrative expenses
    7,994                   19,151       27,145  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    357                   (14 )     343  
                                         
Operating income (loss)
  $ 17,224     $ 5,199     $ 2,255     $ (19,137 )   $ 5,541  
                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 39,089     $ 186     $ 64     $ 7,796     $ 47,135  
Net capital expenditures
  $ 2,046     $ 100     $ 56     $ 844     $ 3,046  
 
Fiscal 2008
 
                                         
                      Unallocated
       
    Retail     Commercial     Franchise     Corporate     Total  
 
Net sales
  $ 229,092     $ 17,927     $ 6,880     $     $ 253,899  
Costs of sales and related occupancy costs
    94,568       11,296       3,768             109,632  
Operating expenses
    96,535       2,258       1,516             100,309  
Opening expenses
    181             49             230  
Depreciation and amortization
    24,899       32       (3 )           24,928  
General and administrative expenses
    9,564                   19,581       29,145  
Closing expense and disposal of assets
    5,016                   97       5,113  
                                         
Operating (loss) income
  $ (1,671 )   $ 4,341     $ 1,550     $ (19,678 )   $ (15,458 )
                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 50,822     $ 130     $ 12     $ 9,348     $ 60,312  
Net impairment
  $ 7,460     $     $     $     $ 7,460  
Net capital expenditures
  $ 3,941     $     $     $ 1,896     $ 5,837  
 
All of the Company’s assets are located in the United States and less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated sales come from outside the United States. No customer accounts for 10% or more of the Company’s sales.


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
(A Majority Owned Subsidiary of Caribou Holding Company Limited)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 
 
19.   Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (in thousands except per share data)
 
                                 
    Fiscal Quarters
Year Ended January 3, 2010
  First   Second   Third   Fourth
 
Net sales
  $ 60,380     $ 62,954     $ 62,739     $ 76,466  
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs
    26,272       27,317       27,849       34,448  
Operating income
    376       1,405       686       3,074  
Net income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
    346       1,168       654       2,970  
Net income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. per share
                               
Basic
    0.02       0.06       0.03       0.15  
Diluted
    0.02       0.06       0.03       0.15  
 
                                 
    Fiscal Quarters
Year Ended December 28, 2008
  First   Second   Third   Fourth
 
Net sales
  $ 61,757     $ 63,183     $ 60,910     $ 68,049  
Cost of sales and related occupancy costs
    26,213       27,004       26,992       29,423  
Operating (loss) income
    (5,853 )     (2,282 )     (8,684 )     1,361  
Net (loss) income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. 
    (6,406 )     (2,432 )     (8,766 )     1,262  
Net (loss) income attributable to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. per share
                               
Basic
    (0.33 )     (0.13 )     (0.45 )     0.07  
Diluted
    (0.33 )     (0.13 )     (0.45 )     0.07  


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CARIBOU COFFEE COMPANY, INC. AND AFFILIATES
 
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
 
                                 
    Balance at
  Additions
       
    Beginning of
  Charged to
  Deductions from
  Balance at
Years Ended:
  Year   Expense   reserves   End of Year
    (In thousands)
 
January 3, 2010
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 72     $ 19     $ 88 (1)   $ 3  
Deferred income tax asset valuation allowance
  $ 31,903     $     $ 2,449     $ 29,454  
December 28, 2008
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 8     $ 117     $ 53 (1)   $ 72  
Deferred income tax asset valuation allowance
  $ 25,525     $ 6,378     $     $ 31,903  
 
 
(1) Deductions represent the write-off of accounts deemed uncollectible.


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Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.
 
Item 9A(T).   Controls and Procedures
 
Conclusion regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and the operations of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective, as of January 3, 2010, in ensuring that material information relating to us required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter and fiscal year ended January 3, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Report of Management on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
The management of Caribou Coffee is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made in accordance with management authorization; and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected.
 
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. This evaluation included review of the documentation of controls, evaluation of the design effectiveness of controls, testing of the operating effectiveness of controls and a conclusion on this evaluation. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 3, 2010.
 
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
 
Item 9B.   Other Information
 
None
 
PART III
 
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
The information required by this item regarding the Company’s directors is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION — Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the


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Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 13, 2010 (the “Proxy Statement”). Information regarding the Company’s executive officers is set forth in Item 4A of Part 1 of this Report under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”
 
The Company adopted a code of ethics applicable to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, controller and other finance leaders, which is a “code of ethics” as defined by applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. This code is publicly available on the Company’s website at www.cariboucoffee.com in the Investors section accessed through the Corporate Governance menu option. If the Company makes any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code to the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer or controller, the Company will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies on its website or in a report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Item 11.   Executive Compensation
 
Information concerning executive compensation required by Item 11 is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation,” “Stock Option Grants and Exercises,” “Employment Agreements” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
 
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management required by Item 12 is set forth under the caption “Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock” and “Executive Compensation — Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions required by Item 13 is set forth under the captions “Executive Compensation — Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference into this annual report of Form 10-K.
 
Item 14.   Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
Information concerning principal accounting fees and services required by Item 14 is set forth under the caption “Proposal 2 — Ratification of Selection of Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
The following documents are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K.
 
(a)(1) Index to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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The following Consolidated Financial Statements of Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. are filed as Part II, Item 8 of this annual report on Form 10-K:
 
         
    Page
 
    25  
    26  
    27  
    28  
    29  
    30  
       
(a)(2) Index to Financial Statement Schedules.
       
       
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
    48  
 
All other financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or because the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
 
(a)(3) Listing of Exhibits
 
             
Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description of Exhibits
 
  3 .1     Form of Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  3 .2     Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  4 .1     Form of Registrant’s Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed September 6, 2005).
  10 .1*     1994 Stock Awards Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 19, 2005).
  10 .2*     Form of 1994 Stock Awards Plan Stock Option Grant and Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 19, 2005).
  10 .3*     2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 19, 2005).
  10 .4*     Amendment No. 1 to the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 19, 2005).
  10 .5*     Form of 2001 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Option Grant and Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 19, 2005).
  10 .6*     2005 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .7*     Description of Annual Support Center and Field Management Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s on Form 8-K filed May 26, 2006).
  10 .10*     Form of Directors and Officers Indemnification Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2006).
  10 .11     Master Franchise Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Al-Sayer Enterprises (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed September 14, 2005).
  10 .13     Commercial Lease between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Twin Lakes III LLC, dated September 5, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).


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Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description of Exhibits
 
  10 .14     Second Amended and Restated Lease and License Financing and Purchase Option Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005)
  10 .15     Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Lease and License Financing and Purchase Option Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated March 25, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .16     Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Lease and License Financing and Purchase Option Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated May 10, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .17     Second Amended and Restated Call Option Letter from Arabica Funding, Inc. to Caribou Coffee Company, Inc., dated June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .18     Second Amended and Restated Put Option Letter from Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. to Arabica Funding, Inc., dated June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .19     Second Amended and Restated Tax Matters Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .20     Second Amended and Restated Supplemental Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .21     Credit Agreement among Arabica Funding, Inc., as Borrower, The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties thereto, and Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent, dated as of June 29, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .22     Amendment to Credit Agreement among Arabica Funding, Inc., as Borrower, The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Thereto, and Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent, dated as of March 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed August 25, 2005).
  10 .25*     Offer Letter from Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. to Michael J. Tattersfield, dated August 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed August 4, 2008).
  10 .26*     Offer Letter from Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. to Timothy J. Hennessy, dated September 9, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed September 9, 2008).
  10 .28     Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement among Arabica Funding, Inc., as Borrower, The Several Lenders from Time to Time Parties Thereto, and Bank of America, N.A. as successor-by-merger to Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent, dated as of November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed March 20, 2009).
  10 .29     Seventh Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Lease and License Financing and Purchase Option Agreement between Caribou Coffee Company, Inc. and Arabica Funding, Inc., dated November 12, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to the Company’s Form 10-K filed March 20, 2009).
  21 .1     List of Subsidiaries (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 21.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed September 14, 2005).
  23 .1     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
  31 .1     Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a — 14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31 .2     Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a — 14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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Exhibit
       
Number
     
Description of Exhibits
 
  32 .1     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32 .2     Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
* Indicates management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of this annual report.
 
(b) Exhibits.
 
See Item 15 (a)(3)
 
(c) Financial Statement Schedules.
 
See Item 15(a)(2)

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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Caribou Coffee Company, Inc.
 
  By: 
/s/  MICHAEL TATTERSFIELD
Name:     Michael Tattersfield
  Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer
 
March 26, 2010
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  MICHAEL TATTERSFIELD

Michael Tattersfield
  President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  TIMOTHY J. HENNESSEY

Timothy J. Hennessey
  Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer)
  March 26, 2010
         
/s/  NATHAN G. HJELSETH

Nathan G. Hjelseth
  Controller
(principal accounting officer)
  March 26, 2010
         
/s/  GARY A. GRAVES

Gary A. Graves
  Non-Executive Chairman
of the Board of Directors
  March 26, 2010
         
/s/  CHARLES H. OGBURN

Charles H. Ogburn
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  CHARLES L. GRIFFITH

Charles L. Griffith
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  SARAH PALISI CHAPIN

Sarah Palisi Chapin
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  KIP R. CAFFEY

Kip R. Caffey
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  WALLACE B. DOOLIN

Wallace B. Doolin
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  MICHAEL J. COLES

Michael J. Coles
  Director   March 26, 2010
         
/s/  PHILIP SANFORD

Philip Sanford
  Director   March 26, 2010


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