Team Member

As a Team Member at Caribou Coffee, your main responsibilities include providing incredible guest service, preparing hand-crafted beverages, and maintaining a clean store environment. You'll also build relationships with guests, anticipate their needs, and create day-making experiences that leave a lasting impact. Whether you’re behind the barista counter or on the floor assisting guests, every role you take is essential in ensuring high-quality service and a welcoming atmosphere.

To qualify for the Team Member position at Caribou Coffee, you must be at least 16 years old and be available to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays. While prior experience in food service or retail is preferred, a genuine passion for guest service and a willingness to learn are most important. Caribou Coffee values team spirit and resilience, so bring your enthusiasm and a readiness to embrace our core values!

Caribou Coffee focuses on creating a positive team environment by fostering core values that include supporting one another, making fun happen, and encouraging authenticity. Our management is approachable and committed to open communication, which helps team members feel valued and connected to the mission. Furthermore, we encourage personal development through training and mentoring, allowing each Team Member to thrive both personally and professionally.

A typical day for a Team Member at Caribou Coffee involves a mix of preparing beverages, greeting guests, and maintaining the store’s cleanliness and organization. You’ll interact with customers, take orders, suggest delightful drink options, and prepare food offerings. You’ll need to balance multiple priorities while adapting to the needs of your team and guests, which makes every shift unique and rewarding in its own right.

The compensation range for a Team Member at Caribou Coffee is between $11.23 and $18.71 per hour, with starting pay subject to local and state minimum wage regulations. This range reflects what Caribou reasonably expects to pay for the position based on factors like experience, performance, and market conditions. As part of our commitment to equity and inclusion, we strive to offer fair compensation to all our team members.

Good guest service is about creating a welcoming environment where guests feel valued and appreciated. As a Team Member at Caribou Coffee, it means actively listening to guests, anticipating their needs, and going above and beyond to make their experience special. When answering this question in an interview, share a personal experience where you made a customer feel seen, and how that made a difference.

When dealing with difficult customers, the first step is to remain calm and listen to their concerns without interrupting. Empathy is key—validate their feelings, and then work to find a solution that aligns with Caribou’s service standards. When answering, include a specific example of how you handled a challenging situation effectively in the past.

Working in a team requires good communication and collaboration. You could discuss a specific project or shift where you worked closely with others, highlighting how you supported your teammates and contributed to achieving a common goal. This demonstrates your ability to adapt and thrive in a team environment, which is vital at Caribou Coffee.

A genuine passion for service and a desire to create memorable experiences motivate me to serve guests. I enjoy seeing the impact a nice conversation or a small act of kindness can have on someone’s day. Emphasize the joy you find in making connections and bringing joy to others as key aspects of your motivation.

In a fast-paced environment, it’s essential to stay organized. I prioritize tasks by focusing on guest orders that need immediate attention while also delegating responsibilities among team members when possible. Discussing this strategy showcases your ability to maintain efficiency while ensuring guest service remains top-notch.

Maintaining cleanliness involves regularly checking both the front and back of the house for any clutter or waste and addressing them immediately. You can discuss your approach to cleanliness, emphasizing daily routines like wiping counters, checking tables, and ensuring food preparation areas are sanitized to prevent any hygiene issues.

Being clear, concise, and approachable defines my communication style. I encourage open dialogue to ensure my team and our guests feel comfortable expressing their needs. When responding, try to include an example of a time this communication style helped resolve an issue or facilitated teamwork.

I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of a team that prioritizes guest experiences and community impact. Mention any personal connection you have to Caribou, whether it’s the brand itself, its values, or the coffee culture. This reflects your genuine interest in being part of the Caribou family.

Adaptability is key in any fast-paced environment. I tend to assess the situation, remain flexible, and be willing to take on different roles as needed. Providing examples during your response will illustrate your ability to quickly respond to changes, which is essential in ensuring smooth operations at Caribou.

Caribou Coffee stands out due to its commitment to creating meaningful guest experiences and its focus on community impact. Share your personal insights or experiences that connect with this value, which can further demonstrate your alignment with the company’s mission and culture.