Panera Bread Co. is reportedly fielding interest from a prospective buyer that one highly regarded source identified as Starbucks.
None of the parties have yet to confirm the reports, which come from a variety of media. Bloomberg ran a story today that said Panera has hired advisors because of “takeover interest,” attributing the exclusive to unnamed but knowledgeable sources.
Jim Cramer, the Wall Street watcher and TV personality, told CNBC that the suitor is Starbucks. He did not reveal the source of his information.
In the wake of the reports, Panera’s stock price has skyrocketed.
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