New Franchise Group to Develop Bakery-Cafes in South Phoenix
The new franchise group brings considerable experience in the restaurant industry to their new endeavor with Panera Bread.
22/08/06 Panera Bread today announced a new agreement with Dennis and Shane Hitzeman and Tom McDonald to develop bakery-cafes in the South Phoenix territory in Arizona.
The new franchise group brings considerable experience in the restaurant industry to their new endeavor with Panera Bread. Dennis Hitzeman and Tom McDonald are currently partners in an organization that owns and operates 54 Burger King locations in the Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Dallas markets. In addition, the group operates four Fazoli's locations in the Las Vegas market, as well as two fine dining steakhouses in Phoenix and La Jolla, CA. The two will serve as owners of the new entity, along with Shane Hitzeman, an eight-year veteran of franchise operations who will serve as the group's co-owner and operations partner.
"We are honored to welcome Tom, Dennis and Shane to the Panera family," said Mike Kupstas, Senior Vice President and Chief Franchise Officer at Panera Bread. "We believe that their team's proven experience in the industry, as well of their knowledge of the Phoenix marketplace will be key factors in our success as Panera Bread expands into new territory."
Under the terms of the new agreement, the franchise group will open a total of 14 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in southern Maricopa county, as well as Pinal and Pima counties.
"We are excited to be part of Panera Bread, a brand that we respect and one that has established itself as a leader in the industry," said Dennis Hitzeman. "We look forward to further expanding Panera's reach in the Phoenix marketplace and believe that we will be a welcome addition to the community."
Dennis and Shane Hitzeman and Tom McDonald join previously signed franchisee Steve Morris, who has a commitment for 15 bakery-cafes in the North Phoenix market, the first of which will open in late 2006.
Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. As released in the July 25, 2006 earnings statement, Panera Bread operates 939 bakery-cafes (337 company-owned and 602 franchised).
