Ron Shaich, the former CEO of Panera Bread Co and founder of Au Bon Pain, has turned his focus to investing through his $300 million investment fund, Act III Holdings.
As Shaich sees it, act one for him was founding Au Bon Pain, while helping to establish the bakery-cafe segment. Act two was purchasing and growing what would ultimately become Panera, a chain he grew to more than 2,000 units and pioneered the fast-casual segment. He later sold Panera to JAB Holding for $7.5 billion. Act three for Shaich is investing in brands that represent a “better competitive alternative.” He’s garnered attention over the past year for his investments in Mediterranean fast-casual concept Cava.
Recently, he’s taken an active, hands-on role in Tatte and Life Alive, two Massachusetts-based concepts. Here’s a look at those investments.
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