Restaurant Team Member

Panera hires operations and supply execs to support turnaround. The chain onboarded Chris Finazzo as COO and Victor Siqueira as chief supply chain officer, both RBI alums, as it continues an ambitious overhaul. Published Sept. 29, 2026 Dive brief: * Panera Bread has appointed Chris Finazzo as chief operating officer and Victor Siqueira as chief supply chain officer, according to a Monday press release. * CEO Paul Carbone said the two executives would play significant roles in advancing Panera RISE, a turnaround program Carbone announced last fall. * Both executives bring substantial restaurant experience to the fast casual chain, which could help it as it seeks to reach $7 billion in sales by 2030. Dive insight: Finazzo joins the company from United Parks & Resorts, which owns SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Finazzo spent five years at the parks company as chief commercial officer, according to his LinkedIn profile. Prior to that, he spent more than seven years with Burger King, rising to be president of the burger brand's North American operations. In that role he "oversaw marketing, operations, franchising, field operations, finance and development for nearly 10,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Latin America," according to the press release. In a LinkedIn post, Finazzo said he looked "forward to spending time in our cafés, learning from our team members and franchisees." Finazzo will use lessons drawn from this learning period to "sharpen execution in our cafes, deepen consistency across the system and deliver the kind of guest experience that keeps our guests coming back," according to the press release. Last year, Carbone said Panera's turnaround would depend on operational changes that improved order accuracy and on making back-of-house labor more efficient. Siqueira joined Panera from Oakberry, an açaí berry bowl and smoothie brand. He oversaw Oakberry's supply chain efforts and consumer packaged goods division while the brand grew from 300 locations to 1,100 stores in about 50 countries, per the press release. Like Finazzo, he brings experience from Restaurant Brands International, where he served as VP of supply chain at Tim Hortons. He also worked at Popeyes and Burger King. This experience with substantial multi-national brands could help Panera as it tries to improve its menu. Siqueira succeeds Gregg Waterman, who led Panera's supply chain operations starting in 2020, according to Waterman's LinkedIn profile. Panera has made several major changes in the last few months. In July, it limited the previously unlimited Sip Club. In August, the chain named a new CMO and overhauled its rewards program, abandoning its longstanding surprise-and-delight system for a points-based model.

Panera appoints Chris Finazzo as Chief Operating Officer and Victor Siqueira as Chief Supply Chain Officer. Boston, MA - September 28, 2026 - Panera Bread today announced the appointment of Chris Finazzo as Chief Operating Officer, alongside the appointment of Victor Siqueira as Chief Supply Chain Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Finazzo will lead Panera's operations, with responsibility for driving operational excellence and supporting sustainable growth across the system. Mr. Siqueira will oversee all aspects of Panera's supply chain function, helping ensure a reliable, efficient and agile network that supports the brand's strategic priorities. Both executives will be based at Panera's Boston headquarters and will report to Chief Executive Officer Paul Carbone. "I am pleased to welcome Chris and Victor to the Panera Bread leadership team," said Paul Carbone, Chief Executive Officer, Panera Bread. "They each bring proven leadership experience in the restaurant industry and strong track records of driving results at scale. Chris' operational, commercial, brand and franchise experience, combined with Victor's extensive supply chain expertise, will be invaluable as we continue to advance Panera RISE, elevate the guest experience, and position Panera for long-term growth." Mr. Finazzo brings more than two decades of leadership experience in the restaurant, consumer and retail sectors, including seven years in senior leadership roles at Restaurant Brands International. He served as President of the Americas at Burger King, where he oversaw marketing, operations, franchising, field operations, finance and development for nearly 10,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Latin America. He also served on the board of Carrols Restaurant Group and as a director of the Burger King Foundation. Most recently, Mr. Finazzo served as Chief Commercial Officer of United Parks & Resorts, leading revenue and marketing for the company. "Panera is an iconic brand with a loyal guest base, a strong operational foundation and tremendous opportunity ahead," said Mr. Finazzo. "I am honored to join the team and looking forward to working alongside our team members and franchisees to sharpen execution in our cafes, deepen consistency across the system and deliver the kind of guest experience that keeps our guests coming back." Mr. Siqueira brings deep global supply chain and operational expertise, having led procurement, manufacturing, distribution and vertically integrated supply chain organizations for leading restaurant and consumer brands. Most recently, he led Supply Chain and CPG at Oakberry, where he oversaw sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and consumer packaged goods during a period of accelerated international growth, helping scale the brand from 300 to more than 1,100 locations across nearly 50 countries. Prior to Oakberry, he served as Vice President of Supply Chain at Tim Hortons, where he led a comprehensive supply chain transformation that delivered significant operational efficiencies, cost savings and service improvements for the brand and its franchisees. He previously held senior leadership positions at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and Burger King, where he helped drive supply chain performance and support long-term business growth. "I am thrilled to join Panera at such an exciting time for the brand," said Mr. Siqueira. "Panera has built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional experiences to guests, supported by a world-class supply chain network. I look forward to working alongside Paul, the leadership team and our team members to build a more resilient, efficient supply chain to advance the company's strategic priorities." Siqueira's appointment to Chief Supply Chain Officer follows the planned departure of Gregg Waterman, who has led Panera's supply chain organization. "I would like to thank Gregg for his leadership and contributions to Panera," Mr. Carbone said. "Throughout his tenure, Gregg helped strengthen our supply chain organization, modernize and expand our supplier base to enable innovation and build resiliency, and lead significant transformation efforts across the business. We are grateful for his dedication and partnership, and we wish him continued success in his next chapter." About Panera Bread Its first bakery-cafe opened in 1987, founded with a secret sourdough starter and the belief that the best part of bread is sharing it. That vision led to the invention of the Fast Casual category with Panera at the forefront, serving as America's kitchen table centered around its delicious menu of chef-curated recipes that are crafted with care by its team members. Panera Bread make food that Panera Bread is proud to serve its own families, from crave-worthy soups, salads and sandwiches to mac & cheese and sweets. Each recipe is filled with ingredients Panera Bread feel good about and none of those Panera Bread don't because Panera Bread is committed to serving its guests food that feels good in the moment and long after. While its company is now about 2,200 bakery-cafes strong, its values and belief in the lasting power of a great meal remain as strong as ever. Panera Bread spend each day elevating everyday meals into moments of comfort, connection and joy. Nothing beats breaking bread together. As of September 1, 2026, there were 2,253 bakery-cafes, company and franchise, in 48 states and Washington D.C., and in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread(R) or Saint Louis Bread Co.(R) names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread(R), Caribou Coffee(R) and Einstein Bros.(R) Bagels. For more information, visit panerabread.com or find Panera Bread on X (@panerabread), Facebook (facebook.com/panerabread) Instagram (@panerabread) or TikTok (@panerabread).

Panera Bread closing beavercreek location. By Brooke Jones, WHIO.com September 01, 2026 at 1:11 pm EDT BEAVERCREEK - A restaurant at The Greene Town Center is closing. Panera Bread will cease operations today, Sept. 1, according to a sign on the door. "We'll miss you," the sign said. The sign also points customers to locations on Dayton-Xenia Road, Far Hills Avenue, and Wilmington Pike.