In an interview with the Associated Press, Ron Shaich takes a dig at some of America’s largest food companies, claiming they’ve concentrated too much on their existing products and lost the public’s trust.
“People have been oversold, over-branded, over hyped, over-promised,” Shaich told AP. “And they basically trust a small local operator more than they trust the big corporate entity.”
In April, Panera upgraded is full-year profit forecast after investment in new technology cut queue waiting times at its stores and helped reverse a prolonged sales slowdown.
The company has also been touting its credentials as a healthier alternative to some other fast-food outlets. As Bloomberg reported this month, Panera launched a new kids menu that was free of artificial ingredients and pledged not to encourage children to consume soda and French fries.
Panera currently has around 2,000 locations and a market capitalization of near $5 billion. This begs the question, how can a company that’s grown so large claim it’s different from the big guys?
Shaich says it’s all about avoiding the tendency to focus too much on the delivery of successful ideas through efficiency drives and cost management. “The discovery muscle is pushed out by the delivery muscle,” he says.
“The most powerful role I have is protecting the people [who] are dreaming about where this company can be in two to three to five to 10 years.”
The forces of technical disruption are a major concern for CEOs across all industries, from auto manufacturing to baking.
One business model expert has even suggested that CEOs delegate all core management responsibilities to chief operating officers to give them more time to start dreaming.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
