Panera Bread 2003 Annual Report Download - page 11

develop Company-owned locations or develop locations through new area developers in that market. At the
present time, the Company does not have any international franchise development agreements.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 27, 2003, the Company had 3,924 full-time associates (deÑned as associates who
average 25 hours or more per week), of whom 344 were employed in general or administrative functions
principally at or from the Company's Support Centers (executive oÇces); 676 were employed in the
Company's fresh dough facility operations; and 2,904 were employed in the Company's bakery-cafe operations
as bakers, managers, and associates. The Company also had 4,078 part-time hourly associates at the bakery-
cafes. There are no collective bargaining agreements. The Company considers its employee relations to be
good. The Company places a priority on staÇng its bakery-cafes, fresh dough facilities, and support center
operations with skilled associates and invests in training programs to ensure the quality of its operations.
TRADEMARKS
The ""Panera Bread'' and ""Saint Louis Bread Company'' names are of material importance to the
Company and are trademarks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark OÇce. In addition,
other marks of lesser importance have been Ñled with the United States Patent and Trademark OÇce.
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
Our Internet address is www.panerabread.com. We make available at this address, free of charge, our
annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments
to those reports Ñled or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act as soon
as reasonably practicable after we electronically Ñle such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC).
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Each fresh dough facility and Company-operated and franchised bakery-cafe is subject to regulation and
licensing by federal agencies as well as to licensing and regulation by state and local health, sanitation, safety,
Ñre, and other departments. DiÇculties or failures in obtaining and retaining the required licensing or approval
could result in delays or cancellations in the opening of fresh dough facilities and bakery-cafes as well as Ñnes
and possible closure relating to existing fresh dough facilities and bakery-cafes.
The Company is also subject to federal and a substantial number of state laws regulating the oÅer and
sale of franchises. Such laws impose registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the oÅer and
sale of the franchises and may also apply substantive standards to the relationship between franchisor and
franchisee. The Company is subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws governing such
matters as minimum wages, overtime, and other working conditions.
The Company and its fresh dough facilities are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental
regulations. Compliance with applicable environmental regulations is not believed to have any material eÅect
on capital expenditures, earnings, or the competitive position of the Company. Estimated expenditures for
environmental compliance matters are not material.
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination in employment and public accommodations
on the basis of disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Company could be required to
expend funds to modify its Company-owned bakery-cafes to provide service to, or make reasonable
accommodations for the employment of, disabled persons. The Company believes that compliance with the
requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act will not have a material adverse eÅect on its Ñnancial
condition, business or operations.
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