Panera Bread Appointed New Executive Leadership
The restaurant chain has named a new chief operating officer and chief supply chain officer.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People
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Panera Bread has appointed Chris Finazzo as its new chief operating officer and Victor Siqueira as its chief supply chain officer. These executive changes support the companys Panera RISE turnaround program.
Why it matters
The leadership appointments are designed to support a strategic turnaround program aimed at reaching $7 billion in annual sales by 2030. The new executives will focus on enhancing café execution and streamlining supply chain operations.
The company has set a target of $7 billion in annual sales by 2030. Victor Siqueira previously managed an expansion at Oakberry that grew from 300 to 1,100 stores across 50 countries.
The players
Chris Finazzo
He is the new chief operating officer of Panera Bread who previously held roles at United Parks & Resorts and Burger King.
Victor Siqueira
He is the new chief supply chain officer of Panera Bread who previously worked at Oakberry and Tim Hortons.
Gregg Waterman
He is the former leader of supply chain operations for Panera Bread who held the position starting in 2020.
The details
Chris Finazzo joins the team after spending seven years at Burger King and five years at United Parks & Resorts. Victor Siqueira succeeds Gregg Waterman, who had led the company's supply chain operations since 2020.
Timeline
2020: Gregg Waterman began leading supply chain operations.
July 2026: Panera limited the unlimited Sip Club.
August 2026: Panera overhauled its rewards program.
September 28, 2026: Panera announced new executive appointments.
2030: Target date for reaching $7 billion in sales.
Market Landscape
These executive appointments reflect a broader effort to modernize operations and consolidate market share in the competitive fast-casual sector. The shift follows significant changes to loyalty programs, signaling an aggressive push to improve brand consistency under the Panera RISE turnaround program.
Customers may notice ongoing changes to store operations and service consistency as the new leadership implements the turnaround strategy. These shifts are intended to stabilize the brand experience following recent modifications to the loyalty rewards program and Sip Club.
The takeaway
The addition of new executive leadership marks a pivot point for Panera as it attempts to stabilize its business model. Consumers should watch for further adjustments to service and retail offerings as the company pursues its long-term financial targets.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership changes, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Restaurant Dive.
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