Title: Panera Bread Strategy
Ron Johnson
March 1, 2009
Southwestern College Professional Studies Abstract
This case study is about Panera Bread Company and its strategy it wishes to employ to become the best brand name of fresh bread in the United States. Panera Bread’s use of a broad differentiation strategy has helped their profitability and growth and rivals have found it hard to compete with the competitiveness of Panera Bread. A SWOT analysis will reveal the competitive advantage Panera Bread has and why this company is in an attractive situation and what Panera Bread must do to strengthen its competitive advantage against rival chains.
Panera Bread Strategy
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Panera’s ability to offer a more unique product and experience will help them be able to sustain their competitive advantage. What are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis involved with Panera Bread? A company’s profitability and competitive well-being are affected by both internal and external origins. Threats that can harm Panera Bread Company are their competitive rivals who attempt to copy and employ some of the same standards and who may one day offer the same products and services. Panera Bread is in a very attractive situation. The company reached an all time high according to published reports from the company’s press release department on February 8, 2007, where the company’s revenue was just over $282 million in 2002 and nearly $829 million in 2006 (Thompson, Strickland, & Gamble, 2008, pC-86). Does Panera Bread Company have any core or distinctive competencies? Panera provides its customers with unique food and a unique experience. It offers a bakery and café menu and let’s not leave out the kids menu. They offer four types of coffee that they give special attention to when and how they make it for their customers. Panera Bread even goes the extra mile by having wifi connectivity in 1200 of its business locations for business men and women and college students’ just to help give the extra feel of being home. Panera