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): October 16, 2003

PANERA BREAD COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

6710 Clayton Road
Richmond Heights, MO
(Address of principal executive offices) 63117
(Zip Code)

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

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 7. Exhibit
	Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure
	Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX
Ex-99.1 Press Release

Item 7. Exhibit

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated October 16, 2003 (furnished pursuant to Items 9 and 12)

Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure

     Attached as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of the registrant’s press release dated October 16, 2003, announcing its comparable store sales for the four and twelve weeks ended October 4, 2003.

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     Attached as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein by reference, is a copy of the registrant’s press release dated October 16, 2003, announcing its comparable store sales for the four and twelve weeks ended October 4, 2003.

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, Chief Financial                  Officer
Date: October 16, 2003

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated October 16, 2003 (furnished pursuant to Items 9 and 12)