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Panera Bread Company announced an agreement with Edward W. Doherty of Doherty Enterprises in Allendale, NJ, to open 20 Panera Bread bakery-cafes in Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island. Doherty is scheduled to open his first bakery-cafe by March 2002.

An experienced Franchise operator, Doherty Enterprises currently owns 25 Applebee's, two Chevys and nine Wendy's restaurants.

Ed Doherty, chairman and chief executive officer of Doherty Enterprises, said, "We are pleased to be part of the Panera Bread family and are looking forward to opening the Long Island market. We have found that Long Island residents are open to new eating experiences, especially high quality concepts. Panera Bread bakery-cafes are ideally matched to Long Island tastes."

Prior to starting Doherty Enterprises, Doherty worked for Marriott Corp. for more than ten years in development, marketing, Franchising and management positions. He ultimately served as Vice President of Marriott's Family Restaurant and was responsible for its 1,200-unit Big Boy division.

Panera Bread owns and Franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names. The company is the leader in the emerging specialty bread/cafe category due to its unique bread combined with a quick, casual dining experience. As previously reported, as of December 30, 2000, 262 Panera Bread bakery-cafes (including four specialty bakery-cafes) were operating in 28 states (90 company-owned and 172 franchised bakery-cafes).