Panera Bread (Nasdaq: PNRA) today announced a new agreement with Breadwinners of the Triangle, LLC to develop additional bakery-cafes in Raleigh-Durham, Wilmington, Morehead City and Fayetteville. Breadwinners of the Triangle currently operates 13 Panera locations in the region.

Breadwinners of the Triangle is owned by Joe and Diane Bastian and operating partner Casey Bastian, who has over twenty years of food and restaurant experience. In 1999 the franchisee opened its first Panera Bread location at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh and has since expanded its presence in The Triangle, Greenville and Pinehurst areas.

"We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Joe, Diane and Casey," said Ron Shaich, Panera Bread Chairman and CEO. "It is wonderful to see how their team's business has grown and the development they have attained in their North Carolina markets."

Under the conditions of the new agreement, Breadwinners of the Triangle will open 5 additional bakery-cafes to be located in its current territory and the new markets of Wilmington, Morehead City and Fayetteville.

"We are excited about our continued expansion in North Carolina," said Joe Bastian. "We have enjoyed tremendous success in this market and look forward to the opportunity to expand our reach and bring Panera to even more customers in the area."

Since the company's founding in 1987, the Panera Bread franchise community has been instrumental to the company's growth as an industry leader.

With its identity rooted in handcrafted, fresh-baked, artisan bread, Panera Bread is committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Highlighted by antibiotic free chicken, whole grain bread, select organic and all-natural ingredients and a menu free of man-made trans fat, Panera's bakery-cafe selection offers flavorful, wholesome offerings. The menu includes a wide variety of year-round favorites to compliment new items introduced seasonally with the goal of creating new standards in everyday food choices. In neighborhoods across the country, guests are enjoying Panera's warm and welcoming environment featuring comfortable gathering areas, relaxing decor and free WiFi Internet access. At the close of each day, Panera Bread bakery-cafes donate bread and baked goods to community organizations in need.

Panera Bread serves fresh baked, handcrafted artisan breads, sweet and savory baked goods, hand-tossed salads, wholesome soups, and signature sandwiches in a distinctly warm and welcoming environment. Panera Bread is committed to using only the highest quality, fresh ingredients in the food we offer, and making a lasting contribution to the neighborhoods in which our customers and employees live and work through programs like Operation Dough-Nation. Headquartered in Richmond Heights, MO, Panera Bread operates 1,101 bakery-cafes (430 company-owned and 671 franchised) as of March 27, 2007. For more information, visit .