The Offer
- Au Bon Pain is offering an endless coffee mug for 2018 for $199.
The Fine Print
- Endless Mugs are available for sale through 1/8/18, subject to supply.
- Endless Mug ownership is non-transferable and the mug can only be used by the owner.
- Endless Mug ownership entitles you to free refills, solely of hot coffee and tea, and only through 12/31/18.
- No refills of espresso drinks, lattes, iced.
- Refills require presentation of an Endless Mug by its owner at a register.
- No other vessels may be used.
- Refills may not exceed one per half hour.
- Refill at participating Au Bon Pain locations only.
- Some locations do not participate. Please see list of participating locations.
- The Endless Mug may not be returned after purchase, except where required by law.
- Au Bon Pain is not responsible for lost or stolen mugs and no refunds will be issued for damage, theft, loss or any other reason.
- Au Bon Pain reserves the right to end Endless Mug sales, membership or program at any time with a purchase price refund prorated by months remaining in the year.
- Purchase of the Endless Mug constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
Our Verdict
Looks like you get the mug now, so gives you a bit less than 14 months use. No express, lattes or iced coffee makes this a pretty plain deal if you ask me. You also have to always remember you mug and never lose it or have it stolen. I’m sure it works out cheaper to just brew your own, but I guess if you get normal coffee from Au Bon Pain on a regular basis then this might make sense? Kind of reminds me of the Olive Garden unlimited pasta pass.
Hat tip to reader Kevin D N
My girlfriend is a doctor in a hospital with a participating ABP. Works long shifts and drinks about 4 cups a day at ABP as is. She’s really excited about this!
As an almost daily Starbucks drinker, I spend less than $200 over 14 months on a daily cup of coffee and also earn rewards. Plus, Starbucks has locations close to home and work so this is a hard pass for me. If it were $100, then I would consider altering my commute to hit Au Bon Pain on my way to work but not if I am actually losing money.
It seems likely that Au Bon Pain as a brand will still be around end of 2018, but do keep in mind that they’ve just been purchased by Panera Bread.
An endless coffee mug with a defined end? So it’s like cell companies’ unlimited plans?
Well, it’s endless for a period of time. Like purchasing entrance to an all-you-can-eat buffet isn’t free food for life, it’s all-you-can-eat until closing time.
Yeah, not much of a deal IMO. Fail by Au Bon Pain.
You’ll receive a sticker with mug id. Keep that or stick it on your mug so the cashier can scan each time refilling coffee. I admit their coffee is sub-par and not strong enough.
I wish they would just sell me a year worth of coffee for $199 without having to bring in the mug 🙁
Is their coffee actually good? Most chain restaurants have awful coffee IME. Coffee quality is high on my list of restaurant wants.