Specialty retailer Caribou Coffee has appointed Scott Kennedy as its president and CEO, effective immediately, following his appointment as interim CEO when he took over from John Butcher earlier this March.  

“I am confident Scott’s focus on building a winning team and culture, along with delivering exceptional guest experiences in our Caribou coffeehouses every day, will help make this great brand a great business,” said José Cil, chairman of the board of Caribou Coffee.

Over the past 14 years, Kennedy has held several executive roles, including six years as president of financial and retail services at Target, following nearly 16 years at KPMG, where he spent his final two years as a partner.

“Caribou Coffee is a beloved brand with a strong foundation of exceptional products and a welcoming coffeehouse experience,” said Kennedy.

“Looking ahead, I see tremendous opportunity to accelerate our growth, expand our reach, and continue elevating what makes Caribou unique.

“I’m excited to partner with our talented team to seize these opportunities and deliver even greater value to our guests and stakeholders.”

Caribou Coffee, a subsidiary of Panera Bread, offers ‘specialty-grade coffee’ and food across more than 800 coffeehouses worldwide.