Panera Bread Company

Ron Shaich and Louis Kane started Panera Bread in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Company. The company prospered internationally throughout 1980s and 1990s along the east coast of U.S.. It became the dominant and best operator within the bakery-cafe category. The company purchased St. Louis Bread Company, which was a chain twenty bakery-cafes in St. Louis area. After the purchase, St. Louis Company was re-staged and managed comprehensively. However, between 1993 and 1997, the average unit volume of St. Louis increased by 75%. After the changes and improvement in production, the name of the company was changed to Panera Bread. As of 1997, the quality of products, services, and improvement in production indicated that Panera Bread had the potential to be among the leading brands in the country. The company needed all the management and financial resources for it to be potential in the field.

In 1999,...
[ View Full Essay]