Panera Continues Paradise Bakery Conversions

More Paradise Bakery & Cafe units acquired by Panera Bread Co. in 2009 will be closed or converted to Panera stores. Panera CEO Ron Shaich says slowing growth at Paradise’s more than 50 restaurants in Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, and Utah has accelerated conversion efforts. Many of the Phoenix-based Paradise cafés are located in food courts; those are performing well and won’t convert to Panera restaurants.