Panera Bread History

Norway a country that has a history that dates back to the Vikings has had shared ideals and values with the United States. After gaining its independence in 1814 Norway formed its constitution in 1814 if based it on U.S. and French models. And since the countries had many shared political ideals Norway had major immigration to the U.S. from 1825-1940, over 850000 Norwegians immigrated to the United States greatly contributing to the United States as a nation politically and culturally. Marshall aid and commitment to NATO are other ways the United States reinforces its bond with the country of Norway. In 1999 Bill Clinton was the first United States president in office to visit Norway, he was hosted by King Harald V of Norway. The United States

Panera Bread Company focuses on making fresh baked treats, artistically crafted breads, made to order sandwiches, soups, premium roasted coffees and other cafe drinks. Panera Bread usually tries to locate its stores in strip malls or regional mall areas. The Norwegian city Oslo is a prime place for Panera Bread to grow its business because of parallel demographics and psychographics of Panera’s target

Its headquarters is currently located in Sunset Hills Missouri a suburb of St. Louis Missouri. The Panera Bread company was founded on the east coast of the United States by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich in 1981 under the name Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. In 1993 the Au Bon Pain company purchased the Saint Louis bread Company, a chain of 20 bakery’s in the mid-west St. Louis area. The St. Louis Bread Company was founded in 1987 in Kirkwood Missouri. After this purchase the company reformed the St. Louis bread company and increased average unit columns by 75%. After major success with the reformation of the Saint Louis Bread Company the company name was changed to Panera Bread. In may of 1999 the company leaders sold all of Au Bon Pain’s units excluding Panera Bread and renamed the company Panera Bread. After these major reforms Panera Bread’s stock grew thirteen-fold and increased shareholder value to over 1 billion dollars. Panera Bread also became majority stakeholders for the Phonex-based company Paradise Bakery & Café in 2007. This Franchise had over 70 locations in 10 states, after three years of being majority stakeholders for the company Panera purchased the rest of Paradise Bakery & Café in 2009. In 2010 the company had major shifts in company titles and roles Ron Shaich became the Executive Chairman of the board and Bill Moreton became Chief Executive Officer and President