Skift Take
Panera’s former CEO has been credited with leading the chain to digital sales success. Here’s hoping incoming CEO Niren Chaudhary will guide the company with the same forward-thinking vision.
Panera is shaking up its c-suite. The JAB Holding-owned chain announced today that current president and CEO Blaine Hurst will be stepping down from his role effective May 23. His replacement has been plucked from the leadership team at another restaurant brand in JAB Holding’s portfolio: Krispy Kreme’s chief operating officer Niren Chaudhary.
Chaudhary has served in Krispy Kreme’s executive suite since 2017. Previously, he was the global president of fried chicken chain KFC and led parent company Yum Brands’ India operations for 20 years prior to the KFC appoi
