Panera Bread- A company with personality Discussion: Describe how stereotype about the fast food industry might positively and negatively affect...

Panera Bread- A company with personality

1. Discussion: Describe how stereotype about the fast food industry might positively and negatively affect Panera. Do you think of Panera as a fast food restaurant, or has the company managed to distinguish itself from this industry segment?
2. Problem Solving: You are a leadership succession consultant called in to help hire a new CEO. What personality characteristics of Panera's founder Ron Shaich contributed to his success, and that of the company? How good of a fit are these characteristics with Panera's at its post - entrepreneurial stage of operations? What would you identify as the three or four most important of Shaich's personal qualities that should be sought after in the next CEO, and why?
3. Further Research: Find data reporting on Panera's recent sales and product initiatives. Find out more about Shaich and how his values and personality affect the company, its mission, and its strategies. Is Panera on the leading edge of its industry, or are other competitors - especially new entrants- starting to nip away at its traditional customers and markets? Does Panera seem to have what it takes to deal with shifting customer values and perceptions of the fast food industry?

Explain atleast 3 concepts from chapter 11 that helped you with this case study.

A concluding paragraph that should include the following (if applicable):

• What recommendations do you have for this case?  
• If a company's strategies or actions are involved, should the company have acted the way it did?  
• What actions should the company take now, and why?  
• Be as specific as possible, and include a discussion of alternatives you have considered but decided not to pursue.  
• Mention and discuss any important implementation considerations.