Who out there doesn"t love Panera Bread?
It"s probably the best fast food restaurant out there.
So good, in fact, that it may not even deserve to be lumped in as a "fast food" chain.
Before you order your next sandwich or pastry from the establishment, however, get to know Panera Bread a bit better via the following array of facts.
They may take you by extreme surprise…
1. It Originated in Missouri
And it remained a local joint called “St. Louis Bread Co.” until the founder of Au Bon Pain took it national.
2. The OG
In St. Louis, the franchise is STILL known as The St. Louis Bread Company.
3. "Panera" Means Bread Bowl
Sort of. The name translates to “bread basket”or “bread box” in Spanish.
4. There are Four States Without a Panera Bread
Sorry, residents of Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
5. You May Want to Own Some Stock In It
Panera is traded publically on NASDAQ. On the day it went public, – June 10, 1991 – shares topped out at $ 13.25, according to Yahoo! Finance. On February 18, 2017, it hit a peak of $ 179.37.
6. It Has HOW MANY Locations?!?
Over 2,000. In 2015, it was named the most innovative company by Fast Company and opened its 2,000th bakery-café in March 2016.