Panera Bread is a popular bakery-café chain with locations throughout the United States. As of 2021, the company had over 2,000 bakery-cafés in 45 states and 20 international locations. In this blog post, we will delve into the history of Panera Bread and the growth of the company’s locations over the years.
History of Panera Bread
Panera Bread was founded in 1981 as the Saint Louis Bread Company in Kirkwood, Missouri. The company was founded by Ken Rosenthal, a local chef who was committed to using high-quality, fresh ingredients in his baked goods. The company’s first location was a success, and Rosenthal opened a second location in 1986.
In 1993, the company was purchased by Au Bon Pain Co., Inc., a café and bakery chain based in Boston, Massachusetts. The company was rebranded as Panera Bread and began expanding into new markets. Over the next two decades, Panera Bread continued to grow, opening new locations throughout the United States and internationally.
Growth of Panera Bread Locations
In the early 2000s, Panera Bread experienced significant growth, with the company opening hundreds of new locations each year. By the end of 2010, the company had over 1,500 bakery-cafés in the United States.
In the following years, Panera Bread continued to expand, with a focus on opening drive-thru locations and offering delivery services. As of 2021, the company had over 2,000 bakery-cafés in 45 states and 20 international locations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Panera Bread is a popular bakery-café chain with a long history and a strong commitment to using high-quality, fresh ingredients. The company was founded in 1981 and has since grown to over 2,000 locations in 45 states and 20 international locations. Panera Bread continues to expand and offer new services, such as drive-thru and delivery options, in order to meet the needs of their customers.