Ken Rosenthal, founder of Panera's Pan, passed away on Friday at the age of 81. Surrounded by his family, he was left with his wife, Linda “Lea” Rosenthal and four children.
In 1987, Rosenthal launched the St. Louis Pun Company, a precursor to Panerapin. The small bakery used a San Francisco sourdough starter. Panera says it is still in use in “the iconic sourdough bread.”
Bob Clark, the founder of Clayco, married to Rosenthal's nie, on his website the day the Panera founder came to him with “crazy ideas” to start a bakery. It reminded me of it. During his trip to San Francisco, Rosenthal became engrossed in sourdough bread.
“I was a bit shocked by the immediate positive response to the bakery. People's lines… crowds… enthusiasm… buzz… everything you want to happen is that multiple shops are open in a short period of time. It led to something,” recalls Clark.
“I remember Kenny fiction to me that when it turned out he had a more ambitious plan, his plan was to open four or five shops. I'm grateful that he didn't give me any advice on anything other than construction.”
Speaking to Rosenthal's “Amazing Success Story,” Clark remembers the founder of Panera as “humble, with a sense of respect and humor.”
Rosenthal sold the chain in the 1990s and became a franchisee. The business he started was renamed, but that mission remained. The company says on its website it “is aiming to put bread on every arm.”
Panera continues his philanthropic values as well as Rosenthal's business heritage. According to Panera's website, the company partners with 3,300 charities across the United States to donate baked goods that have been sold at the end of the day through its day-end dough program. Additionally, the company works to support “underserved and at-risk children and young people” through the Panerapan Foundation.
