Pay-what-you-want Panera called a success

It was a year ago that Panera (PNRA) converted the Clayton restaurant into a non-profit pay-what-you-want restaurant with the idea of helping to feed the needy and raising money for charitable work. Panera founder and Chairman Ronald Shaich said the cafe, operated through Panera's charitable foundation, has been a big success, largely because of people like Thornton.

"Sometimes you can give more, and sometimes you can give less," said Thornton, a teacher's assistant. "Today was one of my 'more' days."

Panera, based in suburban St. Louis, has long been involved in charitable giving, donating millions of dollars and giving away leftover food to the needy. But Shaich sought more direct involvement.

"We were doing this for ourselves to see if we could make a difference with our own hands, not just write a check, but really make a contribution to the community in a real, substantive way," Shaich said.


FULL ARTICLE: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2011-05-16-panera-pay-what-you-can_n.htm