Panera is considered a service is because a rapid response time is needed in this case. Customers are willing to wait only a short amount of time for their goods to be prepared, and that is important to Panera because they are a fast-casual restaurant. The bakers are also highly skilled in their labor and have the knowledge to perform their duties day to day. Lastly, we understand that this core technology is a service because there is customer interaction that is involved, because consumers like to know who prepares their goods and having actual bakers is important to prepare the fresh-baked goods by hand. Another core technology that that Panera Bread has would be their stove slab ovens. The ovens that Panera uses would be considered a core technology because it is crucial to its success. Without the stoves the company would not be able
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to prepare their fresh baked goods in the stores. The core technology of Panera Bread can also be directly related to the paradigm shift in the food industry. The paradigm shift has causes the company to implement several new strategies to offer fresh baked goods, and without these core technologies the company would not be able to meet the demands of the consumers.
Panera Bread has a few ways in which they implement technology into their operations. One example would be their availability of wi-fi for their customers to use. Panera Bread offers free wi-fi for diners so they can relax and feel comfortable all while having a delicious meal. However, there is one restriction to their wi-fi usage, and that is that there is a 30-minute limit during their lunch and dinner rush. However, over the last few years the major use of technology that has aided in attracting new customers would be the to-go ordering or customized ordering that is now available on their app or through the web. Panera Bread also has plans to start a delivery service in a small fraction of their stores. “Panera plans to use in-house delivery drivers instead of a third-party delivery service to ensure consistent quality and a faster delivery time. Delivery options will be available for both small single-person orders and large catering orders.” (Forbes)
Panera Bread would be considered a small organization.
There are several factors that indicated Panera Bread being a small organization, for example, they have found a niche in the market. Panera Bread entered the market and has become a fast-casual restaurant that serves customers a cheaper and healthier meal. This strategy has helped Panera Bread stand out against their competitors and fill a void in the industry. The second characteristics of Panera Bread that shows they are a small organization is their regional reach and quick response time to the changing needs of consumers. This has allowed the company to meet the needs of consumers whom want healthier food items due to the paradigm shift in the industry. Panera Bread’s stage in the organizational life cycle would best be characterized by the formalization stage. Panera Bread relates to this stage because they have formed a hierarchy and division of labor. In 2014 Panera Breads growth slowed down and now we see signs of the company attempting to become internally stable and thinking about future market expansion. During this stage, it is also common for companies to develop products to expand their company. We can this this step happening with Panera due to the paradigm shift in the industry. They are taking out unhealthy ingredients and adjusting their foods to meet customers’
expectations.
There are several ethical values and organizational cultures that Panera Bread has implemented over the last few years due to the paradigm shift in the industry. For example, the company has taken an ethical stand to eliminate anti-biotics in their animals’ diets. Another way that the company is trying to be more ethical in their food choices is by eliminating the preservatives and hormones that are put into processed goods and to use clean ingredients. One of the main ideas at Panera Bread that increases their level of ethical value is that at the end of every day the company donates unsold baked goods to hunger relief agencies. Panera Bread believes in giving back to local communities by donating unsold goods to those who need it.
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Overall, their company what the create a family friendly environment and be a leading choice when it comes to offering healthier food choices to consumers.