Panera Bread Company (Nasdaq: PNRA) today reported that system-wide comparable bakery-cafe sales (excluding the one specialty bakery-cafe and closed locations) increased 4.4% for the four weeks ended September 7, 2002 and 4.9% for the eight weeks ended September 7, 2002.

Average system-wide weekly sales (excluding the one specialty bakery-cafe and closed locations) increased 4.3% to $35,453 for the four weeks ended September 7, 2002 compared to $33,979 for the four weeks ended September 8, 2001.

Panera Bread Company owns and franchises bakery-cafes under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread Co. names.