The Knowledge Project

Panera Founder Ron Shaich

Nov 11, 2025 · 1 hr 43 min · Episode 254
0:00-1:43:44

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Restauranteur Ron Shaich reveals how he built the fast casual industry, scale a business, and spot the trends before they happen.


Ron Shaich is an entrepreneur and investor. He was the founder and former CEO of Panera Bread and Au Bon Pain, generating 25% annualized returns and helping define the fast casual restaurant segment. Now he's the chairman of CAVA (NYSE: CAVA). He is the author of Know What Matters.


He explains

- The origins of Au Bon Pain and Panera

- What you should focus on and what you should avoid

- What most people get wrong about growing a business

- Why the best always seek out the details

- How to use your obsession to your advantage

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