Panera Bread Founder Ron Shaich Joins FBN℠ Board of Directors

We are pleased to announce that Ron Shaich, founder and long-time CEO of Panera Bread Company, has joined the Farmers Business Network℠ Board of Directors as an independent director.

Shaich’s addition to the board follows our recent announcement about a new round of fundraising that is aimed at advancing our mission to power the prosperity of family farmers around the world by helping them maximize their profit potential.

“We’re excited to bring Ron’s wealth of experience to our board,” says Amol Deshpande, CEO and Co-Founder of FBN. “Ron is a groundbreaking CEO who built one of the most successful public companies in history, and his food industry background will translate well to serving the ultimate entrepreneurs: farmers.”

Learn more about Ron Shaich joining our Board of Directors.

In addition to founding Panera and serving as the company’s Chief Executive Officer for more than three decades, Shaich previously co-founded and grew Au Bon Pain. His influential leadership has helped transform the restaurant industry through the establishment of the bakery-cafe and fast casual segments. 

Today Saich is managing partner for Act III Holdings, which has invested in companies such as Cava/Zoes, BJ’s, Tatte, Life Alive, Level 99, Clover and Farmers Business Network.

“I’m a huge proponent of supporting and investing in companies that have a long-term perspective and are transforming entire industries,” said Shaich. 

“FBN is the most exciting and important ag tech company in the world and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to work with the team. Having worked in the food industry all my life, I’m inspired by the FBN mission to improve the profitability of family farmers around the world, especially right now, given that many of them are struggling to survive.”

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