UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 4, 2009

PANERA BREAD COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	000-19253	04-2723701
(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6710 Clayton Road Richmond Heights, MO	63117
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 314-633-7100

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

On June 4, 2009, W. Austin Ligon notified the board of directors of Panera Bread Company (“Panera”) that he is resigning from the board of directors effective June 5, 2009. Mr. Ligon’s resignation was not the result of a disagreement with Panera on any matter relating to Panera’s operations, policies or practices. Mr. Ligon was a member of the board’s Audit Committee.

Panera’s board of directors has appointed Larry Franklin, a current member of the board of directors, to fill the vacancy on the Audit Committee created by Mr. Ligon’s resignation.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

PANERA BREAD COMPANY

Date: June 8, 2009

By: /s/ Jeffrey W. Kip                                           
Name: Jeffrey W. Kip
Title: Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer