Part 3/5:
The company’s same-store sales have increased solidly, contributing to overall revenue gains. Earnings per share have also seen robust double-digit growth. Panera’s management is optimistic that the ongoing rollout of Panera 2.0 will sustain higher-than-average EPS growth rates well into the future, given the majority of stores yet to be upgraded.
Despite these positive results and forward-looking optimism, Panera’s stock has remained surprisingly muted. Analysts note that while the stock has performed well over the past year and the previous five years, its trajectory has been less smooth in recent years, particularly due to challenges in 2014. Still, many believe the current transformation and financial momentum should translate into stronger market sentiment.