Strengths:
• Attractive & appealing menu
• Bread-baking expertise (a core competence) – artisan breads are Panera’s signature product.
• Nationwide leader in the bakery-café segment
• High ratings in customer satisfaction studies
• Good brand name
• Fresh dough operations & sales to franchised stores
• Initial success in catering
• Good franchisees – higher sales in franchised stores compared to company-owned
• Financial strength of the company – able to grow without taking on too much debt