Richmond Heights, Mo., Aug. 13 - Panera Bread today announced a new agreement with Breadwinners of the Triangle, LLC to develop additional bakery-cafes in Raleigh-Durham, Wilmington, Morehead City and Fayetteville. Breadwinners of the Triangle currently operates 13 Panera locations in the region.
Breadwinners of the Triangle is owned by Joe and Diane Bastian and operating partner Casey Bastian, who has over twenty years of food and restaurant experience. In 1999 the franchisee opened its first Panera Bread location at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and has since expanded its presence in The Triangle, Greenville and Pinehurst areas.
"We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Joe, Diane and Casey," said Ron Shaich, Panera Bread Chairman and CEO. "It is wonderful to see how their team's business has grown and the development they have attained in their North Carolina markets."
Under the conditions of the new agreement, Breadwinners of the Triangle will open 5 additional bakery-cafes to be located in its current territory and the new markets of Wilmington, Morehead City and Fayetteville.
"We are excited about our continued expansion in North Carolina," said Joe Bastian. "We have enjoyed tremendous success in this market and look forward to the opportunity to expand our reach and bring Panera to even more customers in the area."