Covelli Enterprises Acquires Cincinnati Panera Cafes
WARREN, Ohio – Covelli Enterprises has acquired 21 Panera Bread franchises in the Cincinnati area, bringing its total holdings to more than 300 Panera cafes in five states and Canada, the company said today.
Covelli Enterprises now owns more than 130 Panera franchises in Ohio, the most owned by a single company in one state.
The company is the largest franchisee of Panera Bread overall. Last month, it opened Panera’s 2,000th bakery-café, in Elyria.
“We are very proud and excited to expand our business here in Ohio where we are headquartered,” said owner Sam Covelli in a statement. “We would like to thank in the Valley for their loyalty. Without their support we would not be able to grow as we have.”
The Cincinnati acquisition follows the company’s purchase of two other Ohio markets. In late 2014, Covelli acquired Panera bakery-cafes in the Dayton market and earlier acquired franchises in the Columbus market. Since entering those markets, Covelli has more than doubled the number of Panera franchises in those areas to more than 60.
Covelli has aggressive plans for the Cincinnati market as well, the company said.
“We commit to bring the loyal Panera Bread customers of the Cincinnati area the best food served by the friendliest employees in the cleanest restaurant possible, all while giving back to the local communities in any way we can,” Covelli said
Covelli donated $26 million in 2015 to local nonprofit and hunger relief organizations all Ohio markets.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
