1. Describe how stereotypes about the fast-food industry might positively and negatively affect Panera. Do you think of Panera as a fast-food restaurant, or has the company managed to distinguish itself from this industry segment?

2. You are a leadership succession consultant called in to help hire a new CEO. What personality characteristics of Panera's founder Ron Shaich contributed to his success, and that of the company? How good of a fit are these characteristics with Panera at its post-entrepreneurial stage of operations? What would you identify as the three or four most important of Shaich's personal qualities that should be sought after in the next CEO, and why?

3. Find data reporting on Panera's recent sales and product initiatives. Find out more about Shaich and how his values and personality affect the company, its mission, and its strategies. Is Panera on the leading edge of its industry, or are other competitorsespecially new entrantsstarting to nip away at its traditional customers and markets? Does Panera seem to have what it takes to deal with shifting customer values and perceptions of the fast-food industry?