The Au Bon Pan / Panera Bread story
Panera’s arrival in Kettering, OH years ago was a welcome addition for the weekend crowd, but I always wondered where it had come from and how the chain had expanded so quickly. (There are now 5 in the Dayton area.) I also noticed the similarities between Panera and ABP once I began visiting Cambridge more regularly—though each has its own strengths. Turns out they’re more connected than I ever thought.
In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co. purchased the Saint Louis Bread Company … At the same time, the St. Louis Bread Company was renovating its 20 bakery-cafés in the St. Louis area.
In May 1999, to expand Panera Bread into a national chain, Au Bon Pain Co. sold its other chains, including Au Bon Pain, which is now owned by Compass Group North America. Au Bon Pain Co. then renamed itself Panera Bread. The company operates or franchises more than 1,160 Panera Bread bakery-cafés in 40 states and 17 manufacturing plants to support the bakery-cafés.
In its headquarters city of St. Louis, Panera Bread still operates under the name St. Louis Bread Company. The metropolitan St. Louis area has over 50 locations.
Panera Bread plans to expand into Canada, beginning with Toronto in 2008.
