Strengths

 Reliable suppliers
 Successful track record of integrating complimentary firms through mergers &
acquisition.
 Good Returns on Capital Expenditure
 Strong Free Cash Flow

 Automation of activities brought consistency of quality to Panera Bread Company

products and has enabled the company to scale up and scale down based on the
demand conditions in the market.
Weaknesses

 Days inventory is high compare to the competitors

 Limited success outside core business
 High attrition rate in work force
 The marketing of the products left a lot to be desired
Opportunities

 The new Environmental policies which brought opportunities that will create a level
playing field for all the players in the industry. It represents a great opportunity for
Panera Bread Company to drive home its advantage in new technology and gain market
share in the new product category.
 Stable free cash flow provides opportunities to invest in adjacent product segments.
 Decreasing cost of transportation because of lower shipping prices can also bring down
the cost of Panera Bread Company’s products thus providing an opportunity to the
company
 New customers from online channel
 Opening up of new markets because of government agreement
 The new technology provides an opportunity to Panera Bread Company to practices
differentiated pricing strategy in the new market.
Threats

 The demand of the highly profitable products is seasonal in nature and any unlikely
event during the peak season may impact the profitability of the company in short to
medium term.
 Increasing trend toward isolationism in the American economy can lead to similar
reaction from other government thus negatively impacting the international sales.
 Liability laws in different countries are different and Panera Bread Company may be
exposed to various liability claims given change in policies in those markets.
 Growing strengths of local distributors also presents a threat in some markets as the
competition is paying higher margins to the local distributors.