I am working on a class project and our case is Panera Bread. One of my tasks is to do the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis. I cannot continue on with my other tasks until I have done this, and my group needs the information too.

I have a few basic ideas, but I am struggling with it mostly. I know that S & W are internal and that O & T are external factors.

*** I’m not asking for someone else to do my work, I am simply just trying to get some ideas from other "everyday consumers" as to what you see they might improve upon, or simply what you think they are good for. Is there somewhere online I can look this up or come up with ideas. I tried the website, but it is mostly locations, recipes, and background on the company… nothing useful.

Once again, what are Panera’s strengths as a business, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats? Any help would do, and it would get me off on the right track. I think once someone throws me some ideas, I could probably take it from there.

Thanks!

Strengths- Fresh baked bread everyday, majority of their bakeries offer free WIFI, and its a healthier option than most fast food places
Weaknesses- Because the majority of the food is organic and the bread is fresh everyday the prices are higher than many fast food restaurants
Opportunities- They do offer espresso bar drinks which are good but they could also expand on the options the offer by including more sugar free syrups or for their blended coffees more flavors in general other than caramel and mocha
Threats… im thinking you can take it from here :)

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My bread machine fell off of the counter last night mid-kneading cycle. Anyone have any advice to keep it from walking all over the counter? The only thing I can think of is getting one of those rubber mats for under the rugs, or hooking up some sort of harness to the wall. If anyone has any experience or ideas that could help that would be awesome.

You could try standing it on a damp towel. Or do you have an electric socket where you could put the machine on the floor? That way there’s nowhere for it to fall

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Okay, so from my earlier question it seems that they are not owned by the same company. So to those of you that have been to both, which do you prefer and why? Or why do you not like one?

Overall, my vote would be for Panera Bread. The menu selection is comparable at both places, and the prices are pretty much the same. However, locally, the Panera is a much better atmosphere. Their booths are more comfy, it is less crowded with tables and doesn’t quite have the restaurant feel to it that ABC does.

Foodwise, I think Panera has a better selection of soups. ABC only has one or two soups I really like (Wisconsin Cheese and the Chicken Noodle), but Panera has about five. Their breads are both equally good, but I think Panera may have ABC beat on the cinnamon crunch bagels. When it comes to the sandwiches, I think Panera has a better selection of variety, although ABC does have the grilled panninis. For salads, Panera wins outright, the caesar salad at Panera is way better. ABC does have a bit more selection of sweets, but Panera has a better selection of different baked goodies like souffles and scones than ABC.

I can’t comment on the coffees and all since I don’t drink coffee. I do like the hot chocolate at Panera, but I don’t think I have ever had the hot chocolate at ABC.

So it comes down to Panera having slightly better food, but a much better atmosphere and ambiance. It just feels like the ABC here is more like a restaurant than a cozy and comfy cafe.

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Hi bakers,

I have recently purchased a Black and Decker bread machine. I find if I add all the ingredients in the beginning the machine squishes everything so fine that you cannot see things like sun dried tomatoes or olives.

I know during the knead cycle it "beeps" and allows for the adding of such things like dried fruits and nuts.

If I add things with a bit of moisture, like olives or chopped parsley along with dried fruit or nuts, will the bread still come out fine?

Thanks!

dried fruit and nuts, and yes it should come out fine

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we have 6 days to do a sicence project and we are planning to do a bread mold project. However how many trials must we do?
Bread #1 antiseptic cream on it & warm temp.
Bread #2 Toasted & warm temp.
Bread#3 Normal & warm temp.
Bread#4 Wet & cold temp.

probably 2 or 3 for each type. i did that in highschool and got like a b or an a

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