Instead of kneading the bread, Panera is pushing the envelope – replacing a for-profit operation with a non-profit operation. On Sunday, May 16, quietly, without any press releases or ribbon cutting, Panera Bread reopened the operation of a Clayton, Missouri store as a non-profit. The model is “take what you need, leave your fair share.”
If it works, and people leave enough money, then this pilot project, funded by their foundation, will expand.
Not only does Panera have tasty food, they also have free wi-fi, which makes them an especially great place when traveling and you need good food and to get on the Net. Now they’re experimenting with quasi-socialism. Innovative!