Panera Bread has named Earl Ellis as its new CFO, effective immediately. Ellis brings extensive financial leadership experience from previous roles at ABM Industries, Coca-Cola, and Kraft Foods. CEO Paul Carbone praised Ellis’s ability to drive growth and enhance guest experiences. Ellis replaces Megan Mikolaichik, who assumed the CFO role in January 2025.

The appointment of Earl Ellis as Panera Bread’s CFO comes at a pivotal moment for the brand, with a focus on strengthening the core business and driving long-term growth. Ellis’s background in finance and previous roles in well-known companies will support Panera’s strategic goals. Panera Brands also recently named José Cil as chairman of its board of directors.

With Earl Ellis as the new CFO, Panera Bread aims to build on its strong foundation and iconic reputation. The restaurant chain, which includes Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee, and Einstein Bros Bagels, is entering a phase of evolution under Ellis’s financial stewardship. Ellis looks forward to partnering with the leadership team to deliver sustainable growth for all stakeholders.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Panera Bread names Earl Ellis as new CFO