Coffee Giant JAB to Buy Panera Bread Chain for $7.5 Billion

JAB Holding Co. agreed to buy Panera Bread Co. for about $7.5 billion, adding a fast-growing U.S. bakery chain to a food empire that spans coffee, bagels and doughnuts.

Panera investors will receive $315 per share in cash, the companies said in a statement April 5. That’s 20 percent higher than the closing price on March 31, the last trading day before Bloomberg reported Panera was considering a sale after receiving interest.

The agreement includes assumption of $340 million in debt.

Panera adds another U.S. brand to JAB’s growing caffeine empire, which includes Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Keurig Green Mountain, Krispy ...