How does Panera Bread relate to Saint Louis Bread Co. and Au Bon Pain Co., Inc.?
Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Co. in 1993 and operated both the Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co. and Au Bon Pain business units. In May 1999, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. sold the Au Bon Pain business unit and retained the Panera Bread/Saint Louis Bread Co. business unit. Now known as Panera Bread Company, there are more than 1,200 Panera Bread company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes in 40 U.S. states and Canada.
