These Sweet Things

Panera Bread, originally established by the Au Bon Pain Company, was started in 1981. The company operates more than 350 company-owned and nearly 700 franchised bakeries and cafes in over 35 U.S. states. Its bakery menu features a variety of baked breads and egg souffl s, bagels, and pastries and sweets. The company s caf menu includes different varieties of sandwiches, soups, hand-tossed salads and a selection of beverages. The company also offers a special children s menu and provides catering services for offices meetings and other occasions. Its staff helps customers make menu selections, choose between assortments of boxed meals, determine appropriate order quantities and coordinate delivery. Panera Bread s bakeries and cafes showcase the art of bread making to help customers appreciate and study its craft. The company supports various community organizations and provides donations to silent auctions, runs and walks, and trivia nights and raffles. It also conducts the Operation Dough-Nation programs that include activities, such as Community Breadbox cash collection boxes, the Day-End Dough-Nation program, Panera Card fundraising and participation in community events.