Why do they call Panera Bread "St Louis Bread Co" only in St Louis?

[pstokely]

The delivery door to the a Columbia MO (2 hrs away from St Louis) Panera Bread says "St Louis Bread Company" on it? Is this something like calling Kraft macaroni & cheese "Kraft Dinner" in Canada?

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. Because outside of St. Louis, no one will eat at a place that has "St. Louis" in the name.

And I don't mean that to be flippant or funny or teasing - I easily imagine that some real negative baggage with the name St. Louis can exist around the country.

It's not a very well-liked or respected city, like Detroit.

At least, that's my anecdotal experience.

[pstokely]

2. They sell KC Masterpiece outside of Kansas City

There's also a chain called Atlanta Bread Company

[x-g.o.p.er]

6. St Louis is a great city, thank you very much!!

Sure, we've got some problems,like the #2 murder capital in the country, but there's been a lot of money put in to revitalize downtown and other areas.

It will still take awhile, but we're getting there.

[pstokely]

7. Then why isn't your city marketable even 2hrs away

I guess the Columbia MO Panera Bread was once called "St. Louis Bread Company" at one point as evidenced by the delivery door.

Have you ever seen the moran, or was he bused in from the Ozarks?

[pstokely]

10. They might eat at a place called "St Louis Fried Chicken" in NYC or England

http://www.satanslaundromat.com/sl/archives/000452.html

[Critters2]

3. When I lived in Champaign-Urbana, the one there was

St. Louis Bread Company. Maybe it isn't now, but it was then. I didn't realize they were the same company. nt

[pstokely]

4. They probably changed the name to Panera Bread

Is there a bigger Chicago or St. Louis influence there?

[Critters2]

5. 50/50, more Chicago I guess, but not by much. nt

[Crabby Appleton]

8. Panera Bread

The Panera Bread legacy began in 1981 as Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. Founded by Louis Kane and Ron Shaich, the company prospered along the east coast of the United States and internationally throughout the 1980s and 1990s and became the dominant operator within the bakery-cafe category.

In 1993, Au Bon Pain Co., Inc. purchased Saint Louis Bread Company, a chain of 20 bakery-cafes located in the St. Louis area.

The company then managed a comprehensive re-staging of Saint Louis Bread Co. Between 1993 and 1997 average unit volumes increased by 75%. Ultimately the concept's name was changed to Panera Bread.

http://www.panerabread.com/about/company/history.php

[grasswire]

9. oh, how interesting!

I used to frequent Au Bon Pain in the D.C. metro area. The turkey salad was delicious, and the bread really good.

Panera has just shown up in the PNW. It's a nice clean place with good-looking food. Unfortunately, not much for us low-carb folks.

Oh, by the way, I love St. Louis. Great place!

[Akoto]

11. Funny coincidence. I had Panera for dinner tonight.

Deeelicious. :9