Creating A Decent Job At Panera Bread Essay

Panera Bread started in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. Founded by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich; the company prospered along the east coast of the United States and internationally throughout the 1980s and 1990s and became the dominant operator within the bakery-cafe category. In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Company, a chain of 20 bakery-cafes located in the St. Louis area.

The Panera Bread company was started in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. Established by Louis Kane, and Ron Shaich, the organization thrived along the east shore of the United States and universally all through the 1990s and turned into the predominant administrator inside the pastry shop bistro classification. Units were opened in the mall, shopping centers, and airport throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. bought Saint Louis Bread Company®, a chain of 20 pastry shop bistros situated in the St. Louis range. Near 1993 and 1997 normal unit volumes expanded by 75%. At last, the idea 's name was renamed to Panera Bread in 1997 in every market outside St. Louis. By 1997, Panera Bread could end up

Ron Shaich is the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Panera Bread Company, where he previously served for over 25 years as the company's Chief Executive Officer. Shaich started his career in the bakery-cafe industry in 1981 by opening a small cookie store in downtown Boston. Shortly thereafter, he combined his cookie store operations with a local bakery to co-found Au Bon Pain Co. with Louis Kane, who came up with the idea after seeing the bakery carts on the streets of Paris during a vacation. In 1993, Shaich led Au Bon Pain's purchase of a 19-location bakery-cafe concept called Saint Louis Bread Company, which would become Panera Bread. Today, the Company operates or franchises over 1,450 locations in 40 states and Ontario, Canada.

The general environment of Panera Bread would consist of factors that might not have a direct impact of the daily operations of the company, however they can directly influence the organization. One of these factors would be the economy. The constant changes to the economy will not directly change the way the company operates, but it will change the habits of customers. For example, if the economy is low more people will eat at home, if the economy is rising then people feel comfortable spending their money to eat out. Another general environment factor that would affect the company would be the technology sector.

The sale of Au Bon Pain lead to their corporate name change to Panera Bread Company. In the early 2000’s the company grew through franchise agreements, acquisitions and expansion. In 2010 Shaich stepped down from his roll of CEO to the company’s executive chairman to focus on concept and strategy. Shaich had what he referred to as concept essence the blueprint of what he wanted to achieve. “Concept essence included a focus on artisan bread, quality products and a warm, and friendly, and comfortable environment” (Vincelette & Fogarty, 2010, p4.).

It is extremely important to build you brand loyalty in this industry, whether it’s through rewards programs or unique dine-in experiences, it can make or break your business. Panera Bread Company will need to make sure that it implements a strategic strategy that separates itself from its competitors and provides a supreme food quality and dining experience.

The Panera Bread Company captured a niche industry between fast food and a traditional restaurant. Up until the Great Recession in 2008, they experienced unimaginable growth for a newcomer to the industry. The choice of healthier options in a clean, friendly environment was enough to sway a customer away from a McDonalds or a Burger King. After the economy bounced back in 2011, Panera began opening stores at a pace similar to that which they had before 2008, however, as of February 2014, reports projected only a 2 to 4 percent increase in sales, whereas projections had them in the 5 to 8 percent increase per share. Both of these numbers fall well below the company 's target long-term growth rate of 15 to 20 percent year over

This analysis is based on projections of Panera Bread Company’s balance sheet and income statement. The growth trends are based on a five-year analysis, from 2002 to 2007. Revenues are forecasted using the 25% sales growth for the first two years and 5% sales growth for the following years. Assuming the percentage of sales method, the other items on the Income statement, are correlated to sales growth and calculated as a percentage of revenue on this same year.

Firstly they observed that customers always demand for high quality food and quick services. This approach of customers gave Panera Bread an opportunity to mix two different concepts of restaurant industry that are fast food and casual dining. By doing this they gave heat to a new category of fast casual. This category provided the consumer an alternate and helped Panera to capture advantages of both categories at the same time. This new classification has made Panera Bread's position attractive as well as helped its prosperity.

Panera Bread is a casual made-to-order fast food restaurant that offers specialty breads, sandwiches, tossed salads and soups. Established in 1981, with 1,562 company owned and franchised locations, Panera Bread has moved into the forefront of the restaurant business, and has strategically penetrated the market while acquiring a robust amount of loyal customers. Most of the restaurants offer the choice of indoor and outdoor dining. A fireplace inside the restaurant is appealing to many customers during the winter months, of whom are looking for a hot cup of coffee and a place to read their newspaper or book. Coffee, tea, and soda are offered with free refills, and water with lemons is

First they have breakfast foods, but broken down below that is, your normal everyday breakfast sandwiches, power sandwiches that have more protein in them, and then the bagels for the customers who are more interested in a sweet breakfast. Along-side that would be the smaller breakfast selections of fruit or oatmeal, a smoothie, or just an ice coffee beverage. As for lunch customers have to the choice of a “pick two” for a smaller but more options type lunch, salads, soups, and paninis. The products are segmented by the type of breakfast or lunch one would like to have whether that be plain and simple and something to give them a boost throughout the day.

According to company’s profile given in case 8, Panera Bread’s establishment started in 1981 by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich as a bakery café. Sooner they have studied the market and opened café chains in different states. They had realized that they had an opportunity to compete with other fast food companies if they could offer higher quality and at the same time quick dining experience. As author states the vision was to create a specialty café anchored by an authentic, fresh-dough artisan bakery and upscale quick-service menu selections (Thomas, 2008). This is what the consumers were looking for; “convenience fast food

Panera Bread is a company of small beginnings, starting out as a chain of small scale bakery-cafes along the east coast to having over 1,200 locations in over 40 states. Panera is a company that strives to project an inviting atmosphere in all of its establishments. Panera’s stores are mostly located in suburban areas with heir target customers being urban workers and suburban dwellers.

Panera Bread bakery-cafes showcase the art and craft of bread making, helping customers truly appreciate and enjoy a great loaf of bread by studying its crust, crumb and craft. Panera Bread understands that great bread makes great meals, from made-to-order sandwiches to tossed-to-order salads and soup served in bread bowls. The Panera Bread® legacy began in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. Founded by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich, the company prospered along the east coast of the United States and internationally throughout the 1980s and 1990s and became the dominant operator within the bakery-cafe category. In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Company®, a chain of 20 bakery-cafes located in the St. Louis area. The company then managed a comprehensive re-staging of Saint Louis Bread Co. Between 1993 and 1997 average unit volumes increased by 75%. Ultimately the concept 's name was changed to Panera Bread. (Panera Bread)

Company Overview In 1999, the first Panera was founded after having a chain of bakeries along the east coast of the St. Louis area. Panera is a nation-wide food chain that has fast and healthy eating decisions for an affordable price. They offer salads, sandwiches, pastas, and many bakery items. Customers describe Panera as a welcoming environment.