Panera Bread Founder Ken Rosenthal Dies at 81: ‘He Leaves Behind a Tremendous Legacy’

Mar. 15, 2025

Ken Rosenthal.Photo:Feldman Mortuary

Feldman Mortuary

Kenneth “Ken” Rosenthal, who founded the company that later becamePanera Bread, has died. He was 81.

After developing a passion for sourdough bread in San Francisco, the St. Louis native opened the original Kirkwood, Mo., location of St. Louis Bread Company in 1987 with his wife Linda “Laya” Rosenthal, according to the memo. The “first-of-its-kind bakery-cafe,” known locally as Bread Co., became a “wild success” in St. Louis area, and now, as Panera, has over 2,000 locations across the United States.

Panera Bread founder Ken Rosenthal (left).Karl Gehring/The Denver Post via Getty

Karl Gehring/The Denver Post via Getty

“After selling the fast-growing chain in the mid-’90s and it was renamed to Panera, Ken became a Panera franchisee and helped grow the brand into the fast casual leader it is today,” the memo reads.

Panera’s interim CEO, Paul Carbone, also shared a statement following the founder’s death.

“Ken Rosenthal’s passion and vision established the rich heritage that Panera has been built on for more than 35 years and he leaves behind a tremendous legacy,” Carbone said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ken and his family.”

Panera.Scott Olson/Getty

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Rosenthal’s obituary also notes that prior to founding what is now Panera, Ken “was a successful entrepreneur who started many businesses.”

“As successful as he was, he was the most humble and selfless person anyone could know,” the late businessman’s obituary reads. “Ken was known for his extraordinary kindness and generosity, always readily offering a helping hand to those in need. He was deeply committed to giving back to the community, generously supporting charities that aligned with his values, and leaving a lasting impact on countless lives.”

“But his most important contribution was his family,” the obituary concludes. “His family meant everything to him.”

source: people.com