St. Louis — Panera Bread has created a new Office of Transformation & Strategy, with Nikka Copeland heading up the new office as senior vice president. In this role, Copeland will manage the strategic execution of Panera’s 3-year growth plan, driving business model clarity that will be instrumental as the company transforms for sustained performance and growth. Copeland joined the Panera executive team on June 24, reporting to CEO Paul Carbone.
Copeland brings more than 20 years of experience across multiple industries including foodservice. She is known for leading enterprise-wide initiatives, aligning people, process and technology around strategic outcomes to foster high-performing cultures.
“I look forward to working closely with Nikka as we develop and execute our strategic plan to build a culture of highly engaged and empowered teams, deliver an exceptional guest experience and increase franchisee profitability,” says Carbone. “Nikka brings a wealth of experience in finance, strategy and operations that will prove invaluable as we create the blueprint to scale and grow Panera for the future.”
Most recently, Copeland served as senior vice president, business services domain lead at World Kinect, a leader in the global energy industry. She also has held finance and strategy positions at Burger King Corp.
The first Panera cafe opened in 1987. Today, the company has more than 2,200 cafes in 48 states and Washington D.C., as well as in Ontario, Canada, operating under the Panera Bread® or Saint Louis Bread Co.® names. Panera Bread is part of Panera Brands, one of the largest fast-casual restaurant companies in the U.S., comprised of Panera Bread®, Caribou Coffee® and Einstein Bros.® Bagels. For more information, visit www.panerabread.com.
SOURCE: Panera Bread