Case Analysis Panera Bread Company

Running Head: Market Analysis of Panera Bread Company

A Look Into the Panera Bread Company

1/22/12

Abstract

This report focuses on the market analysis for Panera Bread Company. The report moves sequentially through six components including synopsis, key issues, problem and opportunity, alternative solutions, selected solution, and implementation/recommendations. Key suggestions cover: (1) How Panera Bread Co. can occupy a greater share of the fast-causal food industry market; (2) How Panera Bread Co. can increase their stock value by brand expansion in foreign markets.

Synopsis

Panera Bread Company is a chain of bakery/café style restaurants throughout the United States that offer breads, sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and other baked goods. Panera Bread Company was founded six years after the Au Bon Pain Co. (the name means “place for good bread” in French) purchased the St. Louis Bread Company in 1993. Today, Panera Bread Company is headquartered in Richmond Heights, Missouri and employs around 7800 employees in total ("Panera bread-company overview”, 2012). Panera had a total of 750 stores across 35 states at the end of fiscal year 2010. The main objective of Panera Bread Company is simple. They service consumers-on-the-go, who are looking for something fresh, hot and convenient to grab. Panera Bread Company’s success is augmented by their unique menu selections that bear exotic names—popular menu items such as the ‘honeydew green tea’ or a ‘frontega chicken sandwich on rosemary and onion focaccia’. Panera Bread Company’s customers receive great satisfaction in consuming their menu items that are made with the freshest ingredients. Fresh ingredients and friendly customer service, offered in the most convenient locations, has created a brand loyalty amongst consumers that has made Panera a leader in their industry.

Key Issues

While there is an opportunity to address many concerns facing Panera Bread Company, only a...