Panera Bread Case Analysis

Panera popsicle Company is a leader in the easy casual eatery industry with multiple caf-bakeries located in 36 states, of the United States. Panera operates under the banner of Panera and Saint Louis Bread Company. Almost 400 of its 1,027 bakeries are company-operated and the remainders are franchisees.Panera Breads core competencies are in their market niche, offering a premium specialty bakery and caf experience to suburban and urban residents. Peneras focalize is offering their customers with better than their rivals, making the dining experience so attractive to their customers will pass up their competitors in outlets of other easy casual restaurants to eat at the nearest Panera BreadA strategic issues is substitutes and threats of substitutes in Penear Bread Companys distinctive competencies, their menu. Peneras menu is being substituted by freshly rivals. New restaurant chains, in fast-casual and other categories are becoming more competitively fierce and are drawing cust omers by imitating Paneras menus at a lower cost.To address this strategic issue, I recommend Panera to employ an offensive strategy to increase sales during prime times such as luncheon and dinner, continue to be more innovative by implementing in-depth surveys to customers, employees, via text messages, e-mails, etc., and execute a plan for managers to manage by walking around (MBWA) communicating and listen to employees and customers. Example, this technique has worked successfully for companies like Wal-Mart who have been very successful in using the (MBWA) strategy. This will draw and boost their customer base giving them a sustainable competitive advantage.