Panera Bread Q4 Profit Climbs

St. Louis Panera Bread Co. said its fiscal fourth-quarter profit grew 43%, helped by a calendar shift as it raised prices and opened new stores.

The company said net income climbed to $25.5 million from $17.8 million last year. Sales rose 19% to $357.8 million from $300.8 million, while same-store sales rose 2.7% during the quarter.

Panera opened 32 stores during the quarter.