AM I NEXT? LAYOFFS AT PANERA BREAD

NOVEMBER 1, 2023 — 17% OF CORPORATE STAFF TARGETED

In preparation for an IPO (Initial Public Offer), Panera is laying off 17% of its corporate staff or 300 staff in supporting roles.

According to a company spokesperson, "To best position the company for the future and continually improve our guest experience, Panera is taking steps to simplify our operations. To fully enable this simplified model, we have made some difficult decisions to better align our support structure with our strategy."

JUNE 24, 2022 — Original post…

St. Louis, Missouri-based Panera Bread, a national bakery-cafe chain, has announced the relocation of its headquarters to Fenton, Missouri, targeted for mid-2023 as part of its downsizing initiative.

According to Panera's leasing agent, "the bakery chain’s 650 corporate employees currently based in Sunset Hills operate in a hybrid work model that has reduced their need for traditional office space." The move will downsize the company’s space from about 150,000 square feet on four floors to two floors with 72,000 square feet.

A company spokesman noted, “This new space will offer amenities to support associate well-being while providing space for our innovative team to ideate, collaborate, and support our bakery-cafes across the nation.

Panera plans to go public by a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) sometime in the future.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL AT DUNKIN' BRANDS

Am I Next? Dunkin’ Brands in acquisition talks with Inspire Brands.

Prior to the scheduled publication of this post — the company announced a deal with Inspire for $8.8 billion ($11.3 with debt). Dunkin’ will be taken private by Inspire. Look for consolidations and cost-cutiing ahead.

Original post…

Canton, Massachusetts-based Dunkin' Brands, the iconic multinational coffee and doughnut company, has announced that it is in discussions to be acquired by Atlanta, Georgia-based Inspire Brands.

Dunkin' would join Inspire Brand's brand portfolio that includes Arby’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Jimmy John’s, and Sonic Drive-ins.

According to Dunkin' Brands Chief Communications Officer Karen Raskopf, the deal is not done yet and there is "no certainty that any agreement will be reached."

Dunkin' had previously announced the closure of up to 800 domestic stores and should the acquisition proceed, there will be the inevitable reduction in force as duplicate functions are streamlined and consolidated.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?