Its bakery-cafes sell fresh baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches and salads, soups, and cafe beverages, including various baked bagels, breads, muffins, scones, rolls, and sweet goods; made-to-order sandwiches on freshly baked breads; custom roasted coffees; and cafe beverages, such as hot or cold espresso and cappuccino drinks.
The company’s bakery-cafes are principally located in suburban strip mall and regional mall locations.
Its target customers include suburban dwellers and workers.
As of December 25, 2004, Panera operated 226 company-owned bakery-cafes and 515 franchise-operated bakery-cafes.
The company was organized in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co.
, Inc.
and changed its name to Panera Bread Company in 1999.
Panera is based in Richmond Heights, Missouri.
