Panera to tackle sluggish same-store sales

While Panera Bread Co. posted $43 million profits last quarter, the company is focused on improving ho-hum same-store sales of 1.7 percent.

That number is “weaker than our expectations,” said Chairman and CEO Ron Shaich, who on Wednesday outlined Panera’s seven-step plan to remedy the situation, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

The seven steps:
1. Refocus operations on key metrics
2. Boost labor, adding 35 hours per week at each cafe
3. Add production equipment to cafes
4. Make sure the number of high-quality employees is adequate
5. Introduce process improvements
6. Improve labor scheduling
7. Modify menu

Read more from the St. Louis Business Journal.