Panera Bread has named Earl Ellis as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. In his new role, Ellis will report to Chief Executive Officer Paul Carbone and become part of the company’s executive leadership team.
Ellis is a seasoned finance leader with a track record of driving transformation and growth across global organizations. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at ABM Industries, a Fortune 500 company, where he oversaw global finance, accounting, and investor relations while guiding multi-year modernization and acquisition initiatives. His career also includes senior finance positions at Best Buy, Canadian Tire, Campbell Soup Company, Kraft Foods, and Coca-Cola.
“Earl is a proven finance leader who blends disciplined financial stewardship with an owner’s mindset,” said Paul Carbone, CEO of Panera Bread. “His experience will help accelerate our plan to strengthen the core business, elevate the guest experience, and drive long-term, profitable growth.”
Ellis expressed enthusiasm about joining Panera at what he described as “an energizing moment for the brand,” noting that he looks forward to advancing Panera’s strategy and ensuring sustainable growth that benefits team members, guests, franchisees, and stakeholders alike. Ellis succeeds Megan Mikolaichik, who has served as Interim CFO since January 2025 following Carbone’s transition from CFO to CEO.
