Ken Rosenthal, Founder of Panera Bread's Forerunner, Dies at 81
Briefly

Ken Rosenthal, who founded what became Panera Bread, passed away on February 14 at 81 due to Alzheimer's. Originally in women's apparel with his wife, he was unaware of baking until inspired by a San Francisco sourdough bakery. After initial reluctance, he trained with a renowned baker and opened the first Saint Louis Bread Company in 1987, introducing an array of breads and pastries that laid the groundwork for the popular café chain.
After resisting the idea of opening a bakery, Ken Rosenthal visited a sourdough café in San Francisco, leading him to transition from retail to baking.
Rosenthal opened the first Saint Louis Bread Company in 1987, offering a menu rich in various types of bread and baked goods he had mastered.
Read at www.nytimes.com
[
|
]