Panera Bread: reports earnings up 17 percent

St. Louis / MO. (pbc) Panera Bread Company reported a net income of 14 million USD, or 0,45 USD per share, for the third quarter, up nearly 17 percent from twelve million USD, or 0,37 USD per share, a year earlier. The latest results include a one cent net charge from a write-down of the company´s investment in the Columbia Strategic Cash Portfolio. Total revenue was 315 million USD in the third quarter, up from 273 million USD a year ago. «In spite of considerable consumer headwinds, comparable bakery-cafe sales in the third quarter of 2008 increased three percent in company-owned bakery-cafes and 3,5 percent in franchise-operated bakery-cafes», the company says in a statement.