Panera Bread 2010 Annual Report Download - page 14

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functions, principally in our support centers, approximately 1,200 were employed in our fresh dough facility
operations, and approximately 13,900 were employed in our bakery-cafe operations as bakers, managers, and
associates. We also had approximately 9,700 part-time hourly associates at our bakery-cafes as of December 28,
2010. We do not have any collective bargaining agreements with our associates and we consider our employee
relations to be good. We place a priority on staffing our bakery-cafes, fresh dough facilities, and support center
operations with skilled associates and invest in training programs to ensure the quality of our operations.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
Our brand, intellectual property, and our confidential and proprietary information are very important to our
business and competitive position. We protect these assets through a combination of trademark, copyright, trade
secret, unfair competition, and contract laws.
The Panera», Panera Bread», Saint Louis Bread Co.», Panera Catering», You Pick Two», Paradise Bakery»,
Paradise Bakery & Café», the Mother Bread»design, and MyPanera
TM
trademarks are some of the trademarks we
have registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In addition, we have filed to register other
trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We have also registered some of our trademarks in
a number of foreign countries.
CORPORATE HISTORY AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal offices are located at 3630 South Geyer Road, Suite 100,
St. Louis, Missouri 63127 and our telephone number is (314) 984-1000.
We were originally organized in March 1981 as a Massachusetts corporation under the name Au Bon Pain Co.,
Inc. and reincorporated in Delaware in June 1988. In December 1993, we purchased Saint Louis Bread Company. In
August 1998, we sold our Au Bon Pain Division and changed our name to Panera Bread Company.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and, accordingly, we file reports, proxy
statements, and other information with the SEC. Such reports, proxy statements, and other information are publicly
available and can be read and copied at the reference facilities maintained by the SEC at the Public Reference
Room, 100 F Street, NE, Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public
Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a web site
(www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers
that file electronically with the SEC.
Our Internet address is www.panerabread.com. We make available at this address, free of charge, nutritional
information, press releases, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on
Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the SEC. In
addition, we provide periodic investor relations updates and our corporate governance materials at our Internet
address.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Our fresh dough facilities and Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes are subject to regulation
and licensing by federal, state and local agencies, and health, sanitation, safety, fire, and other governmental
departments. Difficulties or failures in obtaining and retaining the required licensing or approval could result in
delays or cancellations in the opening of fresh dough facilities or bakery-cafes as well as fines and possible closure
of existing fresh dough facilities or bakery-cafes. In addition, we are subject to federal laws and regulations, such as
the Fair Labor Standards Act and various state laws governing such matters as minimum wages, overtime, and other
working conditions.
We are also subject to federal and state laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Such laws impose
registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the offer and sale of the franchises and may also apply
substantive standards to the relationship between franchisor and franchisee.
7