Covelli to develop Panera bakery-caf s in Toronto

Staff report

WARREN

Covelli Enterprises has been chosen to develop new Panera Bread bakery-caf s in Toronto, Canada, solidifying its place as America’s largest franchisee of the eatery.

Covelli, based in Warren, owns and operates more than 190 Panera Bread locations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida and Ohio, including six in the Mahoning Valley. This year, the company will expand with two or three new caf s in the Toronto area.

“It’s a completely new concept to the people of Canada, and we’re hoping that the expansion is one they welcome. [Owner] Sam Covelli received feedback from Canadian visitors who came to Paneras in the U.S., and that’s what led him to believe this is going to be a successful and welcome transition,” said Liz Follet, regional marketing director for Covelli Enterprises.

Follet said she did not know the total number of Panera Breads that would be built in the Toronto area in the coming years, noting it will depend on how the caf s are received by the public.

It likely will be a gradual expansion in Toronto, she said, unlike the Columbus area, where Covelli acquired 20 Panera Bread locations and has plans to double that.

In a statement, Covelli credited the people of the Mahoning Valley for the expansion.

“Thirteen years ago when we opened the first Panera Bread in Boardman, I never could have imagined our company being chosen to expand this concept internationally,” he said. “The loyalty that the people of the Valley have shown to this company over the years has put us in a position to be successful in our other markets, and now to expand into Canada.”

Bill Moreton, chief executive and president of Panera Bread, said he is pleased that Covelli will lead the development.

“We’re very excited to leverage the strength and experience of the Covelli franchise group to co-develop this market and bring our fresh artisan bread and high-quality food selections to more Canadians,” Moreton said.

Panera Bread Co. owns and franchises 1,467 bakery-caf s under the Panera Bread, Saint Louis Bread Co., and Paradise Bakery & Caf names.