Panera Bread expands

08/02/05 Panera Bread Company has announced an agreement with the first of two planned developers in Arizona. The new franchise group will develop 15 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the counties of Maricopa, Yavapai, and Coconino, Arizona. The new franchisee, Steven J. Morris, plans to open a total of 15 bakery-cafes by 2011.

Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. The company is the leader in the emerging specialty bread/cafe category due to its unique bread combined with a quick, casual dining experience. As released in the October 28, 2004 earnings statement, Panera Bread operates 701 bakery-cafes (212 company-owned and 489 franchised).

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