• by Teresa Buyikian , March 27, 2025

One fast-casual parent company interim CEO is getting a permanent seat at the table.

Panera Brands has appointed Paul Carbone to the position of CEO, effective immediately. Carbone has been interim CEO since January, when former CEO José Alberto Dueñas stepped down from the position.

In addition to the 2,200-unit Panera chain, Carbone heads all  the company’s brands, which include Einstein Bros Bagels, with 700 stores, and Caribou Coffee, with 800 shops. Carbone previously served as the company’s CFO since 2023, where he is credited by the brand as playing a “significant role in strengthening Panera Bread’s business by identifying and executing improvements in key areas, including menu transformation, value, and guest experience.”

“Paul’s … track record of success with both public and private companies in the industry demonstrate(s) that he has the experience and the vision to lead the company through a period of transformation,” said Patrick Grismer, board chair of Panera Brands, in the announcement. “Paul’s tremendous focus on building talented teams who are passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences and best-in-class franchisee profitability make him the right person to lead Panera into this next chapter of growth.”

Per CNBC, Panera Brands filed to go public in Dec. 2023 but did not, amid several management shakeups and changing consumer dining habits. It’s yet to be seen if the company will move forward with its IPO in 2025.

Before joining Panera Brands, Carbone served as CFO for product design and tech company SharkNinja and as CFO at Yeti Coolers. Earlier in his career, Carbone worked for nine years at Dunkin’, beginning as vice president of financial planning and analysis and departing as CFO.