Panera, otherwise known as Panera Bread, got its start in 1987 in St. Louis, Missouri. Originally called the St. Louis Bread Company, the bakery focused initially on sourdough loaves, growing in popularity and presence until it became the successful franchise we know today. With well over 2,000 locations (via ScrapeHero), the fast-casual restaurant has achieved a level of prosperity that many small start-up restaurants can only dream about, and is undoubtedly one of the most ubiquitous restaurant chains in America. And while Panera's original business model may have focused exclusively on bread, its modern menu is not only full of pillowy slices, but also soups, salads, sandwiches, drinks, pastries, cookies, coffee, and more. READ MORE