TSMC Eyes 3nm Chip Production in Japan with $17 Billion Kumamoto Investment 
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Says AI Investment Boom Is Just Beginning as NVDA Shares Surge 
Alphabet’s Massive AI Spending Surge Signals Confidence in Google’s Growth Engine 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Ford and Geely Explore Strategic Manufacturing Partnership in Europe 
U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher as Tech Rout Deepens on AI Concerns and Earnings 
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal 
Singapore Budget 2026 Set for Fiscal Prudence as Growth Remains Resilient 
Sony Q3 Profit Jumps on Gaming and Image Sensors, Full-Year Outlook Raised 
Anthropic Eyes $350 Billion Valuation as AI Funding and Share Sale Accelerate 
Nasdaq Proposes Fast-Track Rule to Accelerate Index Inclusion for Major New Listings 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Nvidia Nears $20 Billion OpenAI Investment as AI Funding Race Intensifies 
AMD Shares Slide Despite Earnings Beat as Cautious Revenue Outlook Weighs on Stock 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Panera Brands Inc., an American bakery-cafe chain store, revealed it has promoted one of its high-ranking executives to become its new chief executive officer. The promotion comes as the company reportedly plans for an initial public offering (IPO).
Panera Brands promoted Jose Alberto Duenas as its new CEO. It said that his appointment is meant to help the company prepare for its IPO, which is expected to happen sometime in the not-so-distant future.
Duenas was from the company’s Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee subsidiaries. He is set to replace Niren Chaudhary, who will remain in Panera Brands as chairman starting July 1.
The new CEO was the president and chief of Einstein Bros. Bagels since 2019. Under his leadership, he led a strategic business transformation putting more focus on the brand’s breakfast while creating an environment that backs and supports the general managers since they are the most important leaders in the organization.
Prior to his new assignment, Duenas also played a crucial role in the implementation of a major operating model that simplified and improved the experience of customers. He also helped expand digital access to the firm’s leading brands.
“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to lead the phenomenal group of people at Panera Brands and be part of what is undoubtedly one of the most iconic brands in food,” the new Panera chief said in a statement. “I believe that with this incredibly dedicated team and our great franchisee partners, we can continue to deliver a best-in-class guest experience, increase our positive impact in the communities we serve and accelerate key growth-driving initiatives to prepare the Company for a future public listing.”
Mirchi9 News reported that the outgoing CEO, Niren Chaudhary, is considered a leading force in boosting the chain’s leadership in the fast-casual dining industry. The company is one of the largest restaurants in the world, with about 4,000 stores and 110,000 employees. Finally, Panera Bread merged with Einstein Bros. Bagels and Caribou Coffee in 2021 and ultimately formed the Panera Brands company.
Photo by: cadillacjr2002/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
