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Panera Brands appoints former Dunkin’ exec Paul Carbone as CFOPanera Brands appoints former Dunkin’ exec Paul Carbone as CFO

Carbone replaced JAB Holding executive Konrad Meyer as chief financial officer at the restaurant company less than one year after he was appointed

Joanna Fantozzi, Senior Editor

August 15, 2023

1 Min Read
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Joanna Fantozzi

St. Louis-based Panera Brands announced Tuesday the appointment of former Dunkin’ executive Paul Carbone as the company’s new chief financial officer, replacing JAB Holding executive Konrad Meyer, who held the CFO position for less than a year.

“I am excited for Paul to join the team as we continue to focus on long-term value-creation for Panera Brands,” José Alberto Dueñas, CEO of Panera Brands and Panera Bread said in a statement. “Paul’s depth of knowledge and history of success across multiple industries, particularly in the restaurant space, and his dynamic leadership qualities make him an ideal partner as we take Panera Brands to the next level.”

This is the second c-suite change Panera Brands has announced this quarter, as new CEO José Alberto Dueñas, joined the company in May ahead of Panera’s IPO plans.

Carbone joined the Panera Brands team — which includes Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels — on Aug. 15. He previously held c-suite positions with e-commerce shopping company, TalBots, Yeti Coolers, and most recently, household product design company, SharkNinja. Before that, he had multiple years of experience in the foodservice world as an executive at Dunkin’ Brands for nearly a decade, most recently serving as CFO until 2017.

Related:Panera Brands is going public (again) soon: Here’s what that could mean

“I could not be more thrilled to join this dynamic and innovative company at such an energizing and exciting time for the business,” Carbone said in a statement. “I look forward to joining an already outstanding leadership team and accelerating the momentum of Panera Brands to deliver long-term growth and success.”

Contact Joanna at [email protected]

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About the Author

Joanna Fantozzi

Senior Editor

Joanna Fantozzi is a Senior Editor for Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality. She has more than seven years of experience writing about the restaurant and hospitality industry. Her editorial coverage ranges from profiles of independent restaurants around the country to breaking news and insights into some of the biggest brands in food and beverage, including Starbucks, Domino’s, and Papa John’s.  

Joanna holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and creative writing from The College of New Jersey and a master’s degree in arts and culture journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY. Prior to joining Informa’s Restaurants and Food Group in 2018, she was a freelance food, culture, and lifestyle writer, and has previously held editorial positions at Insider (formerly known as Business Insider) and The Daily Meal. Joanna’s work can also be found in The New York Times, Forbes, Vice, The New York Daily News, and Parents Magazine. 

Her areas of expertise include restaurant industry news, restaurant operator solutions and innovations, and political/cultural issues.

Joanna Fantozzi has been a moderator and event facilitator at both Informa’s MUFSO and Restaurants Rise industry events. 

Joanna Fantozzi’s experience:

Senior Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (August 2021-present)

Associate Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (July 2019-August 2021)

Assistant Editor, Informa Restaurant & Food Group (Oct. 2018-July 2019)

Freelance Food & Lifestyle Reporter (Feb. 2018-Oct. 2018)

Food & Lifestyle Reporter, Insider (June 2017-Feb. 2018)

News Editor, The Daily Meal (Jan. 2014- June 2017)

Staff Reporter, Straus News (Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013)

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