Panera Bread, a leader and pioneer in the fast-casual restaurant industry, has announced the appointment of Santhosh Kumar as Chief Information Officer (CIO), effective February 12, 2025.

Kumar will report directly to Interim CEO Paul Carbone and will be responsible for spearheading Panera’s technology initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and deployment across its 2,200+ cafes nationwide.

In his role, Kumar will oversee digital transformation, technology operations, and innovation strategies, working closely with Panera’s leadership team and franchisees to enhance employee efficiency and the customer experience.

His appointment is pivotal as Panera continues to elevate its digital ecosystem, optimize operations, and enhance guest engagement through innovative technology solutions.

Leadership Perspective on Kumar’s Appointment

Paul Carbone, Interim CEO of Panera Bread, welcomed Kumar’s expertise, emphasizing his deep understanding of retail technology, digital strategy, and operational efficiencies.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Santhosh to the Panera Bread leadership team,” said Paul Carbone. “As the technology landscape continues to evolve, Santhosh brings the right combination of strategic technology expertise, industry experience, and a proven ability to build high-performing teams that will help drive Panera’s continued success.”

Kumar’s Extensive Experience in Digital Innovation

Santhosh Kumar is a seasoned IT executive with over two decades of experience in digital transformation, cloud modernization, application development, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and electronic payment technologies.

Prior to joining Panera, Kumar served as Senior Vice President of IT at United Natural Food, Inc. (UNFI), where he led a multi-year warehouse transformation initiative and cloud modernization strategy.

His leadership resulted in significant operational efficiencies and cost reductions, positioning UNFI as a more agile and tech-forward organization.

Before his tenure at UNFI, Kumar spent nearly 21 years at Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., where he played a critical role in the global expansion and technological evolution of the brand. During his time at Dunkin’, he:

• Led the implementation of next-generation POS systems across all U.S. locations.
• Spearheaded the rollout of new back-office systems to improve operational efficiency.
• Played an instrumental role in the development and launch of Dunkin’s loyalty program, which significantly enhanced customer retention and engagement.

Vision for Panera’s Digital Future

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Kumar highlighted Panera’s longstanding reputation as a technology leader in the restaurant industry.

“Panera Bread has a strong history as a technology leader in the restaurant industry,” said Santhosh Kumar. “I am proud to join an already outstanding team and to continue Panera’s relentless focus on creating the most seamless and efficient experience for our team members and guests.”

As CIO, Kumar is expected to drive digital innovation, strengthen Panera’s technological infrastructure, and enhance customer-facing digital experiences.

His leadership will be pivotal in advancing Panera’s digital ordering platforms, improving operational efficiency, and leveraging data-driven insights to enhance guest personalization and engagement.

With Santhosh Kumar at the helm of technology, Panera aims to further strengthen its position as an industry leader in digital transformation, enhancing the guest experience, operational excellence, and omnichannel engagement.