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In 2009, the restaurant review service [[Zagat Survey|Zagat]] named Panera one of the most popular restaurants for eating on the go.<ref name=zagat>{{cite web |title=The 2009 Zagat Survey |url=http://www.zagat.com/fastfood |year=2009 |work=zagat.com |publisher=Zagat Survey |accessdate=7 July 2009}}</ref> Panera was also rated #1 for Best Healthy Option,<ref name=2009awards>{{cite web |title=2009 Awards & Recognition |url=http://www.panerabread.com/about/press/awards.php |work=panerabread.com |publisher=Panera Bread |accessdate=7 July 2009}}</ref> Best Salad,<ref name=zagat/> and Best Facilities, among restaurants with fewer than 5,000 locations.<ref name=2009awards/>
In 2009, the restaurant review service [[Zagat Survey|Zagat]] named Panera one of the most popular restaurants for eating on the go.<ref name=zagat>{{cite web |title=The 2009 Zagat Survey |url=http://www.zagat.com/fastfood |year=2009 |work=zagat.com |publisher=Zagat Survey |accessdate=7 July 2009}}</ref> Panera was also rated #1 for Best Healthy Option,<ref name=2009awards>{{cite web |title=2009 Awards & Recognition |url=http://www.panerabread.com/about/press/awards.php |work=panerabread.com |publisher=Panera Bread |accessdate=7 July 2009}}</ref> Best Salad,<ref name=zagat/> and Best Facilities, among restaurants with fewer than 5,000 locations.<ref name=2009awards/>

==Panera Cares==
In 2010, the company's non profit foundation created Panera Cares, a non-profit "[[Pay what you can]]" restaurant in its home market of St. Louis. CEO Ron Shaich based the idea on an NBC profile of the [[SAME Cafe]] in Denver, Colorado.

The companies today have realized that it is not the governments which will provide a solution to the problems being encountered by the world. Ronald Shaich, Executive Director of Panera Bread businesses do not help the society by merely writing checks of huge amounts or by donating goods. Organizations have to go beyond the monetary aspects to help the needy. In the context of Panera, donation of food was not helping the people stricken by hunger and starvation, which bothered the organization deeply. In an effort to do something for the society, Panera came up with a new line of ‘Panera Cares.’ The cafes are designed to look like the other outlets, the only difference being that the there are no prices. The cafes are for people in need who can dine in a comfortable, warm and dignified ambiance instead of some soup kitchen. Being run by donations, the cafes have been successful in covering their costs and making a mark for themselves.<ref>{{cite news|url=www.triplepundit.com/2011/06/panera-cares-proves-people-care/}}</ref> The concept which is absolutely ground breaking invites the customers to take whatever they want to eat or drink and instead of paying a bill, they can donate any amount and/or their time. The root of this innovative concept is the food crisis and the dire need to stop unnecessary food waste.
The cafe is open to people belonging to every section of the society and aims to motivate the clients to take care of each other. Employment is provided to the people belonging to the less well-off sections which acts as an incentive for them to work hard. On-the-job training is also provided for at-risk youths. The idea of the donation box is extremely instrumental in protecting the dignity of the customers.
The ¬¬idea is largely welcomed not only because it is new but also as it highlights the need of businesses to conduct corporate social responsibilities related to their core competencies. The purpose of social good isn’t achieved if organizations are concerned only with their PR benefits, hence not making any significant impact. Thus, Panera has given a new definition to the act of corporate philanthropy – doing social good by indulging in activities that are the business’ strength.
Figures clearly highlight the success of this venture. People are willing to pay more than required which proves that goodness still exists and people care for each other. The success of Panera should inspire other business houses to take steps in this direction and attempt to solve the problems prevalent in the society.

<ref name=nbcnews>{{cite web|title=Panera Cares|url=http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/06/6797708-panera-cares-community-cafe-|work=7 June 2011|publisher=msnbc.com|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2010/05/17/daily21.html |title=Panera: Pay what you can afford - St. Louis Business Journal |publisher=Bizjournals.com |date= 2010-05-18|accessdate=2010-06-04}}</ref> It has since expanded the concept to Dearborn, Michigan, and Portland, Oregon.<ref name=msnbc2011>{{cite web|title=Panera Bread Foundation Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Panera Cares Launch|url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43045632|work=2011-5-16|publisher=msnbc.com|accessdate=7 June 2011}}</ref>


==Internet access==
==Internet access==

Revision as of 21:01, 12 October 2011

St. Louis Bread Co.
Company typePublic (Nasdaq: PNRA)
IndustryRestaurants
FoundedKirkwood, Missouri (1981)
FounderLouis Kane
Ronald M. Shaich
Headquarters
Sunset Hills, Missouri
,
United States[1]
Number of locations
1362
Key people
Ronald M. Shaich
(Executive Chairman)
William W. Moreton
(President and CEO)
ProductsQuick casual/Bakery–café, including several varieties of bread, such as bagels and muffins, cold sandwiches, hot panini, salads, and soups
RevenueIncrease US$1.30 billion (FY 2008)[2]
Increase US$113 million (FY 2008)[2]
Increase US$67.4 million (FY 2008)[2]
Total assetsDecrease US$674 million (FY 2008)[3]
Total equityIncrease US$495 million (FY 2008)[3]
Number of employees
4,746 full time (December 2005)
Websitepanerabread.com

Panera Bread (called St. Louis Bread Company in the St. Louis metropolitan area) is a chain of bakery–café quick casual restaurants in the United States and Canada that sells breads, sandwiches, soups, salads, and other bakery items. Its headquarters are in Sunset Hills, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis.[4][5]

Corporate history

Panera Bread in Chicago's South Loop

In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co. purchased the Saint Louis Bread Company, which was founded by Ken Rosenthal. At the same time, the St. Louis Bread Company was renovating its 20 bakery-cafés in the St. Louis area.[6]

In May 1999, to expand Panera Bread into a national restaurant, Au Bon Pain Co. sold its other chains, including Au Bon Pain, which is now owned by Compass Group North America.[7] Au Bon Pain Co. then renamed itself Panera Bread. The company operates or franchises 1,453 Panera Bread bakery-cafés in 40 states[6] and 17 facilities that deliver fresh dough to the bakery-cafés every day. Panera Bread's CEO is William Moreton.

In its headquarters city of St. Louis, Panera Bread still operates under the name St. Louis Bread Company. The St. Louis metropolitan area has over 100 locations.

In 2005, Panera ranked 37th on BusinessWeek's list of "Hot Growth Companies", earning $38.6 million with a 42.9% increase in profits.[8][9]

In 2007, Panera Bread purchased a majority stake in Paradise Bakery & Café, a Phoenix-based concept with over 70 locations in 10 states (predominantly in the west and southwest). The Company purchased the balance of Paradise in June 2009.[10]

Panera Bread expanded into Canada, beginning in 2008 with Richmond Hill, Thornhill and Mississauga, all three in the Toronto area.[11][12]

On January 25, 2008, a class action lawsuit was filed against Panera Bread alleging Panera failed to disclose material adverse facts about the company's financial well-being, business relationships, and prospects.[13]

In a 2008 Health magazine study, Panera Bread was judged North America's most healthy fast casual restaurant.[14]

In 2009, the restaurant review service Zagat named Panera one of the most popular restaurants for eating on the go.[15] Panera was also rated #1 for Best Healthy Option,[16] Best Salad,[15] and Best Facilities, among restaurants with fewer than 5,000 locations.[16]

Internet access

Most locations offer free wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) (802.11B), access to customers. Panera is the largest provider of free WiFi in the US.[17][18] This service includes SonicWALL Internet filtering, which queries a central database before blocking or allowing access by category; the filter has been known to incorrectly categorize sites.[19] Many locations restrict the duration of free Wi-Fi to 30 or 60 minutes during peak hours.[20]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Panera Bread Press Kit". Panera Bread. Retrieved 2007-09-27.
  2. ^ a b c Panera Bread Company (PNRA) annual SEC income statement filing via Wikinvest
  3. ^ a b Panera Bread Company (PNRA) annual SEC balance sheet filing via Wikinvest
  4. ^ https://www.slcec.com/09-17-10-panera-headquarters-to-draw-375-workers-to-area.html
  5. ^ "Panera tests $16.99 lobster sandwich." Dayton Business Journal. Tuesday August 18, 2009. Retrieved on August 19, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Our History". Panera Bread. Retrieved 2009-01-21.
  7. ^ Au Bon Pain: bakery-cafe weighs in on diet fads, offers more healthful fare to concerned customers Nation's Restaurant News, January 31, 2005.
  8. ^ "St. Louis Firms Make BusinessWeek's Hot Growth List". St. Louis Commerce Magazine. 2005-09-01.
  9. ^ "Giving Quick Food A Run For Its Money". Businessweek. 2006-04-17.
  10. ^ "Panera Bread Company Corporate History Page". Panerabread.com. 2010-03-30. Retrieved 2010-06-04.
  11. ^ Walkup, Carylyn (2006-06-19). "Panera Bread to launch dinner menu, push toward 1,000 units". Nation's Restaurant News. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  12. ^ Brown, Lisa R (2007-10-26). "Panera Bread headquarters in play". St. Louis Business Journal. Retrieved 2008-03-03.
  13. ^ "Panera faces class-action lawsuit". St. Louis Business Journal. American City Business Journals. February 27, 2008. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  14. ^ Minkin, Tracy (February 12, 2009). "America's Healthiest". Health Magazine. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ a b "The 2009 Zagat Survey". zagat.com. Zagat Survey. 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  16. ^ a b "2009 Awards & Recognition". panerabread.com. Panera Bread. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  17. ^ Zumpano, Anthony (2006-10-23). "Panera Bread: flour power". features. brandchannel. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  18. ^ Nowlin, Terrence (2006-11-01). "Plugging into wireless: wireless Internet is making its way into more parks nationwide". Parks & Recreation. National Recreation and Park Association. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  19. ^ Philips, Eliot (June 18, 2008). "SonicWALL still hates us". hackaday.com. Hack a Day. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  20. ^ Anderson, Nate (July 10, 2006). "Free WiFi spawns cafe backlash". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
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