Panera Bread Essay

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Understanding Panera Bread Company by using SWOT analysis Originally developed from Saint Louis Bread Company which was purchased by Au Bon Pain Company in 1993, Panera Bread has been recognized as tops among chain restaurants in the 2009 Sandleman & Associates Quick-Track® "Awards of Excellence” for the eight consecutive years (“company overview”, n.d., Company FAQs). That is the foreseen result of Panera Bread Company that has provided customers the distinctive blend of genuine artisan bread and a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Although Panera’s competitors are restaurants in the so-called fast-casual restaurant category such as Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar; Starbucks.ect, relatively increasing net income and total bakery-cafes opening at year end from 2000 are some of the outstanding evidences of Panera to be recognized as the nationwide leader in the specialty bread segment. Thus, this report will give you a better understanding of Panera Bread Company by using SWOT analysis and help us explore the key factors behind this success. STRENGTHS: 1. Panera Bread has 1399 bakery-cafes in 40 states and in Ontario Canada operating under the Panera Bread®, Saint Louis Bread Co.® and Paradise Bakery & Café® names, delivering fresh, authentic artisan bread served in a warm environment by engaging associates (“Company overview”, n.d., Our history). Moreover, Panera Bread was named Most Popular (for chain restaurants with less than 5000 outlets) by Zagat, the trusted restaurant review service, in its annual consumer-generated 2009 National Restaurants Chain survey for eating on-the-go. (“Company overview”, n.d., 2009 Awards & Recognition). 2. Panera Bread enjoys strong customers’ loyalty. It was reported in the company’s marketing research that 57 percent of consumers who had “ever tried” dining at Panera had been customers in the past 30 days. Yet

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