Panera Bread Company (Nasdaq: PNRA ) today reported that system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales (excluding the one specialty bakery-cafe and closed locations) increased 5.5% for the four weeks ended October 5, 2002 and 5.1% for the twelve weeks ended October 5, 2002.

Average system-wide weekly sales (excluding the one specialty bakery-cafe and closed locations) increased 5.3% to $36,007 for the four weeks ended October 5, 2002 compared to $34,209 for the four weeks ended October 6, 2001. For the twelve weeks ended October 5, 2002 average system-wide weekly sales (excluding the one specialty bakery-cafe and closed locations) increased 4.9% to $35,533 from $33,880 for the twelve weeks ended October 6, 2001.