Untitled timeline

Panera Through the Years

Au Bon Pain Co. Inc. founded

1981

Au Bon Pain Co. Inc purchases Saint Louis Bread Co.

1993

Panera grows into one of the largest restaurant chains

1997

Au Bon Pain Co. sells everything except Panera

1999

Company renamed Panera

1999

ranked 37th on BW's list of "Hot Growth Companies"

2005

Purchases majority stake in Paradise Bakery

2007

Expands into Canada

2008

Rated #1 for Healthy Option

2009

1800 bakery cafes

2014