Panera Bread

Operations

Panera Brands reportedly files confidentially for IPO

The long-promised move appears to be coming to fruition after years of preparation, indicating markets are looking more favorable.

Operations

Panera Bread cuts 17% of corporate staff in preparation for planned IPO

The fast-casual chain is streamlining operations as its parent company plans to go public. This is the latest step.

The bakery-cafe chain is now available on the ezCater app in hundreds of markets as competition for bulk orders heats up.

The chain’s Roman Empire menu gathers items from the existing lineup that fans “can’t stop thinking about.”

Krispy Kreme CEO Mike Tattersfield, who is stepping down from that position in January, will become the company’s board chairman. Former Starbucks CFO Patrick Grismer will become lead independent director.

The cuts are designed to boost speed and simplify operations. They follow years of menu expansion at the bakery-cafe giant.

$10 and under appears to be the price position in fast casual as consumers look for value.

Shoppers who spend $20 on Panera-branded grocery items, including salad dressings and mac & cheese, can get a $5 electronic gift card to use at the fast-casual brand's restaurants.

The Missouri-based group is also a franchisee of Wendy's, Noodles & Company and, soon, Caribou Coffee. The acquisition brings the group's restaurant count to a total of 195.

The timing of the potential public offering remains unclear, but the group that includes Panera Bread, Einstein Bros. and Caribou Coffee remains on track to go public again.

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