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 2, 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
SIGNATURE
	EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1 Press Release

Item 7. Exhibit

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated October 2, 2003 (furnished pursuant to Item 9)

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 2, 2003, reaffirming its earnings guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 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 2, 2003

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	Press Release, dated October 2, 2003 (furnished pursuant to Item 9)