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): April 10, 2003

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)

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

Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EX-99.1 Press Release

     In accordance with General Instruction B.2. of Form 8-K, the following information shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Panera Bread Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise this information. Attached as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of the registrant’s press release dated April 10, 2003, announcing its comparable store sales for the four and twelve weeks ended March 22, 2003.

     Attached and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as Exhibit 99.1 is a copy of the press release.

SIGNATURE

     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

By:  /s/ Mark E. Hood                                        
        Name: Mark E. Hood
        Title: Senior Vice President, Finance and
        Administration, Acting CFO

Date: April 10, 2003

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Panera Press Release, dated April 10, 2003.