Board of Directors
Ronald M. Shaich
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Ron Shaich is the co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Panera Bread Company. Shaich began his career in the bakery-cafe industry in 1981, when he opened a small cookie store in downtown Boston. Shortly thereafter, he combined his cookie store operations with a local bakery to co-found Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. The company has been publicly traded since June 1991.
In 1993, Shaich led Au Bon Pain's purchase of a 19-location bakery-cafe concept called Saint Louis Bread Company, and launched the comprehensive re-staging of Saint Louis Bread. Under Shaich's leadership, average unit volumes at Saint Louis Bread increased by 75 percent between 1993, and 1997, the year the Saint Louis Bread began its national expansion using the name Panera Bread Company.
In 1998, Shaich reached the difficult decision to sell all of Au Bon Pain's business units, including the flagship Au Bon Pain brand, and bet the future of the company on the growth of Panera Bread. This plan was approved in May 1999, and the company was renamed Panera Bread (NASDAQ: PNRA). Panera Bread finished 2007 with over 1,200 bakery-cafes, delivering fresh, authentic artisan bread and cafe foods in a warm and engaging environment.
In his over 25 years as CEO, Shaich has received widespread recognition for his leadership. In 2005, Shaich received the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association's Gold Plate Award as the outstanding leader in the food service industry that year.
Shaich received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Clark University in 1976, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1978.
Shaich serves as a member of the Lown Cardiovascular Research Foundation. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Clark University, and is a former Treasurer of the Massachusetts Democratic Party.
Domenic Colasacco
Lead Independent Director since March 2008, Director since March 2000
Mr. Colasacco is President and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Trust & Investment Management, a trust company formed under Massachusetts state law. He joined Boston Trust in 1974 after beginning his career in the research division of Merrill Lynch & Co., in New York City.
Mr. Colasacco earned his Bachelor's degree and Masters of Business Administration degree from Babson College.
Charles J. Chapman, III
Director since January 2008
Charles J. Chapman, III is the Chief Operating Officer of American Dairy Queen Corporation, a leading franchisor of quick service restaurants and wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire-Hathaway. Prior to joining American Dairy Queen in 2001, Mr. Chapman served as Chief Operating Officer of Bruegger's Bagels, Inc. and President and co-Owner of Beantown Bagels, a Bruegger's franchise. He also held various marketing and operations positions with Darden Restaurants. Mr. Chapman began his career as a consultant at Bain & Company.
Mr. Chapman earned his Masters of Business Administration from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College.
Fred Foulkes
Director since June 2003
Professor Foulkes is a Professor of Organizational Behavior and the Director of the Human Resources Policy Institute at Boston University School of Management and has taught courses in human resource management and strategic management at Boston University since 1980.
From 1968 to 1980, Professor Foulkes was a member of the Harvard Business School faculty. Dr. Foulkes serves on the board of directors of Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the Society for Human Resource Management and the National Academy of Human Resources.
Dr. Foulkes earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and Masters of Business Administration and Doctor of Business Administration degrees from Harvard University.
Larry Franklin
Director since June 2001
Mr. Franklin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Sports, Inc., a leading sports equipment company. Mr. Franklin joined Franklin Sports, Inc. in 1970 and served as its Executive Vice President from 1981 to 1986, when he took over his current post.
Mr. Franklin currently serves on the Board of Directors of Bradford Soap International, Inc., The Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association, The Retail Industry Leadership Association, and the New England chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Mr. Franklin earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin.
George Kane
Emeritus Director since May 2004
George E. Kane became Emeritus Director in May 2004 and had served as a Director since November 1988. Mr. Kane was also one of our Directors from December 1981 to December 1985 and a Director Emeritus from December 1985 to November 1988.
Mr. Kane retired in 1970 as President of Garden City Trust Company (now University Trust Company) and served as Honorary Director of University Trust Company from December 1985 to January 2000.
W. Austin Ligon
Director since January 2008
W. Austin Ligon is a co-founder and former President and Chief Executive Officer of CarMax, Inc., the nation's largest retailer of used cars. Prior to CarMax, Mr. Ligon held a number of senior planning positions at Circuit City from 1991 to 1995, including Senior Vice President of Corporate Planning and Senior Vice President-Automotive. He also held senior planning positions at Marriot Corporation and managed Marriott's family restaurant division. Mr. Ligon also served as a senior consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. Ligon is a member of the advisory board of the Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins University, the Yale School of Management and the University of Virginia, Board of Visitors.
Mr. Ligon earned his Master's degree in Economics from the University of Texas and a Masters of Business Administration from the Yale School of Management.