Ken Rosenthal, Founder of Panera Bread’s Forerunner, Dies at 81

Ken Rosenthal, who started a bakery cafe in St. Louis featuring sourdough bread and grew it into what is now Panera Bread, passed away at 81. He transitioned from the apparel industry to baking, opening the first Saint Louis Bread Company in 1987 and expanding it to 20 stores before selling to Au Bon Pain in 1993, eventually leading to Panera’s massive success. Rosenthal’s legacy lives on through the Panera chain and his pioneering spirit in the fast-casual restaurant industry.

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