Businessweek

Panera Bread Company operates a retail bakery-cafe business and franchising business under the concept names, such as Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co., and Paradise Bakery & Café. The company’s bakery-cafes are located in urban, suburban, strip mall, and regional mall locations. Its menu includes various year-round favorites complemented by new items introduced seasonally. Its bakery-cafes donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need. Its primary menu groups are daily baked goods, including various freshly baked bagels, breads, muffins, scones, rolls, and sweet goods; made-to-order sandwiches on freshly baked breads; soups and side items; freshly prepared and hand-tossed salads; and custom roasted coffees and cafe beverages, such as hot or cold espresso and cappuccino drinks and smoothies. Segments The company operates through three segments: Company Bakery-Cafe Operations, Franchise Operations, and Fresh Dough and Other Product Operations. Company Bakery-Cafe Operations As of December 25, 2012, this segment consisted of 809 company-owned bakery-cafes, located throughout the United States and in Ontario, Canada. Franchise Operations As of December 25, 2012, this segment consisted of 843 franchise-operated bakery-cafes, located throughout the United States and in Ontario, Canada. Fresh Dough and Other Product Operations As of December 25, 2012, this segment, which supplies fresh dough and other products daily to various company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes, consisted of 24 fresh dough facilities (22 company-owned and 2 franchise-operated), located throughout the United States and 1 in Ontario, Canada. Proprietary Rights The Panera, Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co., Panera Catering, You Pick Two, Paradise Bakery, Paradise Bakery & Café, the Mother Bread design, and MyPanera trademarks are some of the trademarks the company has registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, it has filed to register other trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The company has also registered some of its trademarks in various foreign countries. In addition, it has registered and maintains various Internet domain names. History The company was founded in 1981 as a Massachusetts corporation under the name Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. In 1998, the company changed its name to Panera Bread Company.