The world’s first Care-A-Lot by Care Bears Café opened Oct. 16 at Galerías Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico, bringing the Care Bears brand into location-based entertainment through a combination of themed dining, retail, and character experiences.
Developed in partnership with bee·group, the café welcomed nearly 4,000 visitors during its opening weekend, with some fans waiting more than four hours to enter. The destination features larger-than-life Care Bears figures, rainbow installations, interactive photo opportunities, and live character appearances.
Source: Authentic Brands Group
Source: Authentic Brands Group
The café’s menu includes character-inspired mini cakes, rainbow-themed desserts, milkshakes, and specialty beverages. A dedicated retail area offers official Care Bears merchandise, collectibles, and accessories.
Early sales results indicate opportunities for cross-category engagement, with character-inspired mini cakes emerging as the café’s best-selling dessert and Grumpy Bear leading merchandise sales. Fans purchase merchandise alongside food and beverages, highlighting the potential of combining dining and licensed retail.
The opening generated more than 2.2 million Instagram views during its first weekend, along with hundreds of fan-created videos. The destination’s Instagram and Facebook accounts also gained more than 11,000 followers in one week.
The launch comes ahead of the Care Bears brand’s 45th anniversary in 2027. Authentic Brands Group, which owns the property, sees the Monterrey location as a starting point for potential international expansion.
“For nearly 45 years, Care Bears has reminded us that kindness, friendship, and caring for one another can make the world a better place,” said Simon Philips, EVP, Character Brands at Authentic Brands Group. “With Care-A-Lot, we are bringing that spirit into the real world, creating a place where people can share experiences and enjoy what makes Care Bears special.”
The Care-A-Lot by Care Bears Café concept is designed to evolve through seasonal programming, new products, and character-led experiences, providing a model for future location-based entertainment opportunities.
Learn more at carebears.com.
