Panera Bread: Westward Ho!

Panera Bread Co. has opened two new bakery-cafés in Colorado. The stores, in Aurora and Boulder, are Panera's first two Colorado locations and represent the company's westernmost expansion to date. More stores are planned.

The Aurora store is owned and operated by the founder of Panera Bread and existing franchisee, Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal plans to open a total of 40 stores in Denver and surrounding suburbs with the second to open in the fourth quarter this year. Rosenthal founded Saint Louis Bread Co. (now Panera Bread) in 1987 and sold the business in 1993. Now as a franchisee, Rosenthal has opened 10, 4, and 2 bakery-cafes in Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton, OH, respectively.

The Boulder store was opened by new franchisee David Postle. Postle's bakery-cafe is the first to open as part of an agreement to develop 10 bakery-cafes in metropolitan Boulder and parts of Wyoming. Postle is scheduled to open two more bakery-cafes in the Boulder area by year's end. Postle owns five Wendy's restaurants in Boulder and brings more than 20 years experience in foodservice.

Ron Shaich, Panera's chairman and CEO, said on Oct. 25 that these new locations' openings are "consistent with our strategy to expand our presence in the western United States."

Panera Bread owns and franchises bakery-cafés under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names.

Edited by Bob Sperber,
Managing Editor, Bakery Online